A lot can change in one year. Just ask Mexico.

In March 2009, the slumping world economy and negative press surrounding the unrest along its border dealt a double blow to tourist destinations such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and San Jose Cabo. People just weren't heading to the beaches. The result: unbeatable deals to Mexico. This year, we're seeing visitors take advantage of those low prices to return to the popular spring break spot. Cancun, for instance, jumped from the number 10 spring break spot last year to the number five spot this year.

Travelocity charted the rebound of Mexico, including what places are staging a comeback and how much travelers are paying to vacation there. We found that it's one of only a few destinations where both airfare and hotel rates are down over last year, making package deals to Mexico a real bargain for travelers. Check out our infographic...

Editor's Note: Inspired by Follow Friday on Twitter, I am profiling (in far more than 140 characters) travelers who you, too, should follow!

Sleep better with: Anya Orlanska
Follow her at: @SleepConcierge

After returning from a 10-day stint on the road (and not sleeping a wink), I was ecstatic to climb into my very own bed and get a good night's sleep on my plush mattress and super flat feather pillow. Heaven! As much as I love to travel, the new environment, the time changes and the busy agendas keep me up at night, but Sleep Concierge Anya Orlanska says it is possible to sleep as well, if not better, while you're on the road.

A look at spring travel data tells us that average hotel rates are still down slightly over last year, hovering around $156 for a domestic hotel stay and $218 for an international hotel stay. When you compare these numbers to hotel prices in 2008 and see that they're down 14 percent and 11 percent respectively, you can't argue that they're a real steal.

The relative inexpensiveness of travel at this point in time makes my job as a bargain hunter and tips guru, well, easy. Everything seems to be a deal right now, but a thrifty shopper looks for lower-than-average hotel stays. We decided to make the hunt easy for you, listing 100 Hotels Under $100.

Dear Editors,

I am having a hard time trying to figure out which island in Hawaii to visit. My daughter and I want a relaxing vacation - mostly just hanging out near the ocean and pool. We don't want an itinerary, and we would like to stay in a hotel that has everything around it. We do not want to rent a car either. It also has to be a nice hotel that has a lot of amenities. We like our weather on the warmer side.  We would also like transportation to and from the airport.

Katherine

Hi Katherine,

Flying from Canada? Be prepared to spend a ridiculous amount of time going through security. After the underwear bomber on Christmas Day, travelers are paying the price for upgraded security...with their precious time. No doubt that safety is paramount, but are we being fooled into a greater sense of security by a Potemkin village of pat downs, ID checks and inane questions?

My most recent Toronto airport security experience, which culminated with a line of questioning about the book I was carrying on board, leads me to believe that this so-called security is just all for show. Hoping to get some clarification on the new procedures, I went directly to the source, (kindly) asking the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority what the point is behind the theatrics.

Flying for the holidays? History shows us that the combination of winter weather and holiday crowds can result in delays at the nation's airports. A look at Flight Explorer and Sabre Airport Data Intelligence indicates an increased likelihood of delays on peak travel days at airports with the most passengers departing. Throw a wintery storm into the mix, as The Weather Channel predicts this week, and delays could domino throughout the country. My advice? Have a heart-to-heart with Mother Nature, and ask her to hold-off on the snow dump. If that doesn't work, check your flight status, pack your patience (and a good book) and research things to do at your airport. The chart below illustrates traffic volumes and delays at some of the country's busiest airports.

Being the planner that I am, my Christmas travels were booked months ago, but it's no surprise that procrastinators are still perusing online sites waiting for a better deal to pop up. Don't hold your breath, people. It's not going to happen.

Over the past few months, the last minute travel landscape has changed from a procrastinator's paradise to their very worst nightmare. (Well, at least a very unpleasant dream!) We see prices increasing as we get closer to the Christmas and New Year's holidays, making it harder for travelers to find a last minute deal.

Earlier this week, I appeared on San Francisco's View from the Bay (video below) to talk about Travelocity's Travel Rudeness Poll and how to avoid being an annoying traveler this holiday season. At the beginning of the segment, the host of the show made an accurate observation: he said that there's nothing like traveling during the holidays to bring out the worst in people! My response: 'Tis the season to be grumpy!

Ever wonder where that lost luggage of yours ended up? If you flew through PHX, it may be at this creepy couple's house. They were arrested this week for stealing more than 1,000 bags from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. I got a call from channel 12 News in Phoenix to talk about how travelers can prevent this from happening to them. Even though it's tough to protect a bag that isn't in your possession, there are a few things you can do to make sure someone else doesn't claim your luggage.

Looking at Travelocity's Thanksgiving travel data, I can tell you that the average domestic airfare is $361, but taking a deeper dive into the number reveals a much more informative story for travelers who are trying to save a buck. A day-by-day analysis of flight bookings from Nov. 22 thru Dec.1 shows a dramatic swing in airfares, going from $280 to $459 depending on what days you fly.

Check out average domestic airfares on the chart below to determine which travel days may be cheapest for you.