Slideshow: Luxury Trips for Less

THE ECONOMY MAY BE hurting, but to look at the swelling ranks of posh resorts and high-end tour operators, you'd never know the luxury travel market was feeling the pinch. But with the options multiplying — nine new high-end hotel brands were launched last year alone — keeping rooms booked and tours sold out is getting tougher. And while the richest of the rich aren't about to give up their jetsetting ways, the industry also counts on those once-a-year splurgers, many of whom may decide this is the year to scale back. For vacationers all the doom and gloom means one thing: deals. Unlike their more affordable cousins, upscale properties are loathe to tout their bargains (don't bother looking for terms like "discount"), but for travelers who know where to the look, the savings are there for the taking. Luxe is even trickling onto web discounters, with sites like SkyAuction.com now offering 25% more high-end vacation options than it did just six months ago. Of course, these days, every traveler has his or her own ideas about what makes a "luxury" trip. With that in mind, we've picked a few of our favorites, one each from five of the hottest types of high-end trips, with tips on how to get the best for less. Whether you've been eyeing a bike trip through the forests of Argentina or a cruise around the Iberian Peninsula, a few basic strategies — like knowing the latest trips trends, avoiding peak travel times and exploring less high-profile options — can all add up to substantial savings.

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SAFARIS

MalaMala Private Game Reserve
Cost: Starts at $575 per person per night

5 Luxury Trips for Less
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Safaris	Epicurean Tours	Small-Ship Cruising	Spas & Retreats	Trips on Wheels

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