Do you love traveling to exciting new destinations, but dread the inevitable 'vacation spread' resulting from lounging at the pool and sampling the seafood buffet? You can burn calories and maintain strength and flexibility while away from your favorite gym. In fact, all the equipment you need for aerobic and strength workouts can be held in the palm of one hand.

• Jump rope for an intense aerobic workout. A jump rope is easy to take along in your luggage and keep in your room.
• Swim a few laps in the pool daily to help hold extra, fine-dining calories at bay.
• Carry portable and inexpensive workout items, such as resistance tubing and bands for strengthening muscles. They can be used while standing or lying down, and they also can be hooked over a doorknob to create variety in isometric moves.
• Ask your favorite sports store about special weights that can be filled with water and used as hand-held weights. These free weights can be emptied for convenient packing and carrying.
• Stay at a hotel with a fitness room. If the hotel does not have a room on site, they may offer a complimentary pass to one of the local fitness clubs. 
• Plan walking tours to view the scenery and historical architecture.
• Window-shop with a brisk, 10-minute walk down the street and back for a 20-minute workout. 
• Walk the hotel stairs to increase your heart rate. After warming up, try taking two steps at a time.

  While it is easy to add exercise to your vacation days, there are not enough hours in the day to burn calories ingested in high-fat snacks or late-night dinners. Here are a couple of tips to help you balance your calorie intake with the calories you expend:

• Eat nutritious meals as much as possible to maintain your energy level and healthy weight. Balance a high-calorie entree with steamed vegetables and fruit for dessert. If you want to splurge on a chef's double-chocolate delight, order a salad with fat-free dressing for your main course.
• Pack nuts, fruits and pretzels as an alternative to the nutritionally-empty snack foods found in vending machines.