Just about everyone wants to enjoy a unique, luxury travel experience. But for many people, the perceived cost associated with taking a luxury vacation can make this goal seem far out of reach — or like something that they can only enjoy once in a lifetime.

However, this doesn’t have to be the case. As Bryan Rand, president of Carefree Destinations, a company that provides deeply discounted rates on luxury vacation experiences explains, affordable luxury travel options are more accessible than they may first appear. With careful planning, the vacation of your dreams can become a reality.

1. Look Into Discount Booking Services

According to Rand, who you book with can make a big difference for your travel rates. “Our company has built strong relationships with luxury resorts around the globe,” he says.“These relationships are key to getting discounted rates on unsold rooms that we can pass on to our clients.”

Different booking services will likely have relationships with different resorts (and in different locations), enabling travelers to find a wide range of deals. These deals generally aren’t made available to the general public on a traditional reservation platform — you have to work with a booking service that has an established relationship that offers access to the lower prices.

2. Travel During the Off-Season

Off-season travel can result in significant savings on luxury trips, especially when compared to traveling during the “peak” seasons like the summer or around major holidays. As has been well-documented, off-season travel means fewer crowds and significantly lower costs on everything from resort stays and airline tickets to tours and activities.

As Rand notes, however, there is some added nuance to finding off-season rates:

“The off-season isn’t going to be the exact same for every location. In the United States, ski towns see their peak season during the winter, while areas with lakes and other water activities have their peak during the summer. Travel to Mexico and cruise vacations are often cheaper during the summer months because many people prefer to take these trips when the weather is cooler. When you understand the peak season for your travel destination, you can adjust your timeline accordingly to find lower rates.”

3. Consider Emerging Destinations

Another solution for achieving a luxury travel experience at a more affordable rate is to choose what is known as an “emerging” destination rather than one of the most popular travel areas. For example, while Zanzibar, Tanzania is an extremely popular island destination, mainland stays in cities like Dar es Salaam can be much more affordable — while still offering a similar beachfront experience.

“Emerging destinations are areas that have many of the same amenities and activities that you find elsewhere, but they aren’t as popular or well-known,” Rand explains.

“They may be lacking some of the highest-end luxury experiences, but because of this, they tend to be much less crowded and available at significantly lower prices. Going off the beaten path — even just a little — can be an exciting way to expand your travel horizons while still enjoying a luxury experience.”

In many cases, emerging destinations also offer unique cultural experiences and other activities that aren’t as accessible in more popular destinations.

4. Look for ‘Alternate’ Luxury Experiences

In a similar vein to booking stays at emerging destinations, it may be worthwhile for travelers to look into alternative luxury travel experiences. After all, luxury travel isn’t limited to staying at a beach resort (even though many travelers seem to think that way).

For example, glamping has become an increasingly popular vacation option in the United States and around the world, allowing travelers to get closer to nature while still enjoying a variety of luxury amenities and comforts. Some glamping experiences are truly unique, such as staying in yurts and covered wagons in Utah.

5. Embrace Flexibility

Finally, Rand advises would-be travelers to embrace flexibility as they look for the best possible deals on luxury travel. “Many of the best deals for luxury travel come up on a relatively last-minute basis,” he notes.

“Other times, the best deals may be at a resort that isn’t as well-known to you, or in a location that you might not have considered before. But if you’re willing to embrace flexibility with your travel plans, you can take more vacations and visit a wider range of destinations than you would otherwise be able to. When you keep your schedule and mind open to new possibilities, there’s no telling what exciting travel opportunities will come your way.”

Remember, luxury resorts want to fill their rooms. Booking a last-minute deal can be a win-win for everyone.

Luxury Travel Is Within Reach

As Rand’s insights reveal, luxury travel can be more affordable than it first appears. By embracing a flexible mindset and using a few key travel booking hacks, you can score a luxury vacation that will create a lifetime of memories for you and your family.

As you proactively look for great luxury travel deals, you’ll be able to find fun, low-cost vacations that you can go on much sooner than you think.