Vacations are certainly a chance to indulge - but what if a few tweaks gave your getaway a healthier upgrade?

As we plan our winter escapes while having a go at New Year's resolutions, an upcoming trip can be both something to look forward to and something to stress about.

I travel a lot, and while I don't always hit a home run in the "try not to overindulge" game, I have found ways to make my trips a bit more healthy and still fulfilling. From easy tips to things to plan ahead for, here are some of my keys to making vacation time a little more healthy.

Plan ahead meals (to a point): Vacation is about tasting all the unique foods at your destination. The last thing I want to do is to scale back on food adventures. So here's how I plan ahead.

First, I take the time to read all the menus I can for the places I might be. I seek out both meals that I simply must try no matter what to foods I can enjoy without worry. I also look for menu items that I could ask chefs to adapt. By knowing ahead of time what I'll be looking at on the menu, I avoid that "just order the double cheese pasta because I'm in a rush" thing. And by the way: most chefs delight in adapting choices for you. Some of the best meals I've had have come this way.

Also, pack some basics you can fall back on. Healthy snacks and go-to hunger beaters are always good to have on hand. Sometimes I don't even need them, but knowing they are there helps. Also, bring your own food for any plane or train travel. You can pack a delicious and healthy choice and not only save money, but be the envy of the others living on bags of mini pretzels.

So what about "to a point?" If a waitperson tells you about a special that's to die for, go for it. It is vacation, after all.

Hydration: Drinking water regularly makes everything better healthwise. When I'm going to travel by plane, to some place very distant and particularly to some place at a higher altitude than where I live, I amp up my daily hydration a week prior, and continue it throughout my trip.

Bring your favorite Stanley, Yeti or whatever everywhere you go, and keep it full of water. Sip all day long, with a goal of 6-8 glasses. You'll find you feel fuller and have more energy,

But what about cocktails? If they are your thing, enjoy. But try to drink that water as you go - and try to limit super fruity drinks not just because of the calories but because they can make you feel drained.

Talk to your resort bartenders and ask them: do they have any signature cocktails they love to make that are lower in calories but feel just as vacation-special? Good news: they always do.

Move every day: I have a friend who loves hotel gyms; he rates them and compares them. I don't. When I'm on vacation the last thing I want to do is walk on a treadmill in a room for an hour.

But finding ways to move every day not only helps, it might just add to your vacation experience. Research ahead or talk to your hotel concierge about nice walking spots. If you are near a beach, plan on a sunrise walk one day and a sunset one another (because who wants to get up before sunrise every day on vacation? Not this gal).

Get in the ocean or pool and walk in that water daily or better - tread water for a half hour to an hour. It's relaxing and beautiful, and burns enough calories to make up for all the extras you may indulge in.

Pack good walking sneakers and water shoes. You'll be glad you did.

If you are at a resort, find out ahead of time and book some active adventures. Guided hikes, horseback riding, beach yoga, tennis or pickleball lessons; you never know what is offered until you check. And you might just bring home a new hobby as a souvenir.

I was in St. Martin a few years back, with a friend who knows the island well. She told me about a challenging and nearby hike she loves to do at sunrise. I was hesitant; I'm not a morning person. But I got up and did it. As the sun rose, we hiked up over a thick-wooded hill.

At the top, we came out to the most magnificent ocean view. Caribbean blue waves crashed along a huge beach and, as far as we could see, we were the only humans around.

Now that's a vacation moment. Plus, the frozen mudslide later in the day was well-earned. This is vacation, after all.