During Summer months, especially, hopping on a plane to jet-set off to a fabulous, Instagram-worthy destination spot is everyone’s dream vacation. But, in reality, while most of us love luxury vacations, we still have to be mindful of budgets. That’s why it helps to have insider connections with travel experts who can teach us their secrets to saving money when booking a luxury vacation. To help you plan your next extravagant getaway (for a fraction of the price), today’s travel guide shares 5 experts’ tips on how to save money when traveling.

International travel expert Greg Geronemus, Co-CEO of smarTours, a guided tour company based in NYC says, “One of the best ways to find a great vacation deal and save a lot of money is by taking a group tour. Tour operators have significant purchasing power, be it airfare, hotels, meals, etc. and quite simply, by going in a group, you spread lots of costs across a group of people.”

If you want to save money when booking a luxury vacation, choose your hotel based on location. Michelle Roberts of Roberts Travel Services suggests, “Make it easy on yourself and your wallet by booking a hotel near the action, whether it’s close to downtown, the mall or the slopes. Not only will this save you money, but you’ll have more time to explore your destination.”

Another secret to saving money when booking a luxury vacation is to think out of the box (or hotel room, for that matter). Lauren Schmitt of Antlos says, “Sailing and boat vacations have always been considered somewhat of a ‘luxury’ and expensive, but an Italian startup has now cut charter agencies out of the equation, making holidays on a boat affordable for everyone! Antlos is a peer-to-peer marketplace enabling travelers and sea lovers to book authentic and affordable boat vacations! Book directly from Skippers and customize your itinerary and tailor it to your needs. Considered as the ‘Airbnb of Sea’ following the principles of a Sharing Economy, Antlos does not charge Skippers/Captains any commission for bookings made via their site, enabling captains to list their offerings for the best possible price. Choose from a variety of different itineraries all around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, from island hopping in Greece, to fishing in the Balearics, a romantic boat tour in Venice, to beach finding in the Virgin Islands!”

Another way to save money when booking a luxury vacation is to rent a home, rather than stay in a hotel or resort. Travel expert Andrea Lamond says, “If you are looking for a fabulous vacation deal, try an Owner Direct Vacation Rentals last-minute deal where owners discount their rent – some as much as 60%! – as the travel dates get closer.”

Mary White, Founder & CEO of BnBFinder is a travel expert (and the author of Running a Bed and Breakfast For Dummies) who knows how to save clients money when booking their next trip. She says, “Discerning travelers are turning to B&Bs now more than ever for the personal attention they provide and one important tip, for example, is to closely examine exactly what the room rate includes. B&Bs include homemade daily breakfasts in their rate – often these meals are multi-courses – easily reflecting a value of $25/person. Many also include extras like afternoon snacks, a complimentary wine hour, high-speed internet (this all varies by property) and more, which provides even more value.”

For more travel tips and vacation ideas, check out the Travel section on Inspirations & Celebrations.