A "luxury" vacation means different things to different people. For some it means renting a yacht with a captain, cook and butler. For others it might be staying at the Ritz-Carlton. And for others it might just be hiring a private guide in a city you've always wanted to visit. Whatever your definition of a luxury vacation is, you don't need to break the bank to treat yourself.

Here are 10 tips for adding affordable luxury to your vacation.

• Travel to emerging destinations. Popular travel destinations are expensive but if you visit emerging destinations on the cusp of becoming popular, you'll be able to visit at a lower cost. The extra luxuries and amenities will be affordable, too. Where are these up-and-coming destinations? Ask your AAA Luxury Travel Consultant.
• Book in hotels that have opened recently. Many luxury hotels will have generous opening offers when they first open to lure guests to stay there. Some will allow you (or your travel agent) to negotiate your own rate.
• Go in the shoulder-season. Travel rates during the high season can be prohibitively high, but if you travel to popular destinations in the period between the end of the high season and the beginning of the low season, prices will be lower and crowds will be less. 
• Stay somewhere just outside the popular destination. Look for the towns and cities just a little outside the major destinations and you'll be sure to find more reasonable costs for luxury accommodations, meals and experiences. For example, try Seville instead of Barcelona, or Genoa instead of Rome.
• To experience a mean at a high-end restaurant, order a set, (prix fixe) menu or go for lunch instead of dinner.
• When selecting a destination, go where the exchange rate is favorable so that you'll get more value on your dollar at hotels, resorts and restaurants, as well as on excursions.
• Plan ahead - take advantage of early-bird deals instead of banking on last-minute deals to the destinations you want. With early payment deals you can often save up to 15 percent by booking early and paying in full. 
• Use your credit card points on luxury chain hotels. Many credit cards allow you to redeem your points not just on airline tickets, but on luxury accommodations in many destinations.
• Consider an upscale tour provider for package tours in exotic destinations or trips where you'll be visiting multiple cities. Tour companies like these can usually negotiate better rates and have meals and activities included so you get a better value.
• Use a travel agent! They know the little secrets and tips for where to go, where to stay, what to eat, what to do, and how to get there so that you get the most bang for you buck.

If you're ready to book your luxury vacation, or you want to start exploring options, contact a AAA Luxury Travel Consultant to get started on your dream vacation. You deserve it!