With spring in full bloom, even the most tentative urban gardener may be tempted to plant a vertical garden in the condo foyer, or make the smaller leap to a window box with geraniums. Experienced gardeners and novices alike will find inspiration at fabulous B&B gardens where many innkeepers take delight and pride in the art of landscaping.

Whether a seasoned seeds man or woman, or a gardening greenhorn, the Garden Jubilee in Hendersonville, North Carolina, on May 29 – May 30, is a great place to green your thumb and browse thousands of annuals, perennials, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and hard to find plants. Aunt Adeline’s Bed and Breakfast is offering a Festival for Gardeners special that includes a hearty breakfast served in the charming dining room of this elegant property, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes. Aside from the plants and gardening tools for sale, local artisans will be selling their crafts, and over 200 nurseries, landscaping and gardening specialists will be on hand to answer your questions and provide tips. Bill Slack, landscape and gardening specialist with Southern Living Magazine, will host gardening workshops, and there will be even be hands-on clinics for the kids. Pick up your shovel and spade and dig in!

If you have an orchid that needs nursing, you and your ailing bloom will both benefit from the Save Your Orchid weekday special offered by the Sonoma Orchid Inn, in Guerneville, California. The orchid experts there will help you diagnose, repot, and if necessary, divide your orchid. All orchids are welcome, even the most exotic varieties. You too will be pampered and well-fed: the innkeepers are professional chefs, cookbook authors, and of course, grow their own fruits, and vegetables, and orchids.

To find inspiration and B&B gardens in bloom for your next getaway use the Bed & Breakfast Advanced search tool or find more North Carolina bed & breakfasts and California Inns on BnBFinder.com.

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Innkeepers in Maine and New Hampshire are often asked the inevitable question by guests, “Where can I see a moose?” Well, that depends on how close to a 1000 pound hoofed creature with a weapon affixed to his head you want to get. With that in mind, many people are content to view moose from the relative safety and comfort of their own cars (unless it is a low-riding convertible). Innkeepers know the best “Moose Alleys” in their areas, and suggest that taking a slow drive at dawn or dusk from May to December, will render sightings. Hardcore moose-huggers claim the best way to view these massive, even-toed herbivores is in their own element. Hiking in the woods or canoeing down a river usually puts you in the right place to glimpse a herd grazing on the banks, taking a dip in the water, or munching on tree bark.

Moose Mecca -A Moose Safari, organized by the Greenville Inn, at Moosehead Lake, Maine, is a surefire way to optimize your chances of getting up close to the largest animal in the North Woods. If you don’t see at least one moose on this four-hour guided tour, your B&B host promises you get to go again for free. This tour takes you by land and sea through remote and pristine moose habitats via canoe or kayak. After a day of taking in the natural beauty of the wild Maine terrain, feast on Chef Howard Snitzer’s specialties including Lobster Agnoletti, and locally-raised Medallions of Lamb.

Moose Inn the Moon – Some of the 10.000 moose that call New Hampshire home can be viewed by moonlight on the Moose Safari package offered by the Inn at Ellis River in Jackson. Enjoy two nights lodging, a hearty breakfast with local maple syrup specialties, and all the crisp, sweet air of the White Mountains you can breathe. Then head off on a safari that lays claim to a success rate of as many as 15 moose spotted on one outing. Commencing at 6:30 PM from Gorham, this tour will make you an expert in all things moose, and a documentary film is included in the price.

Get a hoof up on becoming a moose know-it-all by using the Bed & Breakfast Advanced Search tool to find more Maine bed & breakfasts and New Hampshire B&Bs that offer Moose Safaris, as well as other Specials at BnBFinder.com.

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Aye-aye sir! – President Truman proclaimed the first Armed Forces Day in May 1950. Since then, the second Saturday in May is when we honor the men and women who serve our country. This year, May 15 is the day when the skies across America will be buzzing and booming with acrobatic air shows and firework extravaganzas. Sometimes though, a soldier needs a little getaway break with his or her family. BnBFinder.com connects America’s finest and bravest with thousands of bed and breakfasts and inns that offer generous discounts and perks as a way of saying “thank you” to our men and women in uniform. Depending on the inn, these Military Specials may extend to all heroes including firefighters and peace officers.

Who would know more about the restorative effects of a few days away than another soldier? Veteran Tom Chase, and his wife Barbara, welcome America’s heroes and their families to their stately antebellum-style Washington Plantation in Washington, Georgia. The Chases extend a 20% discount to members of the military as well as to police and firefighters. If you are 45 days from deploying, or returning from deployment, Tom remembers what it felt like to be a young GI coming or going himself, and recently increased the discount for soldiers in this situation to 33% for stays of two nights or more. That’s plenty of time for strolling the seven acres of lush grounds, and lolling beneath the immense oaks, mature magnolias and fragrant camellias. History looms large here: The Cherokee, Europeans and British, Confederate and Union Army have all passed through adding to the rich heritage of the inn. In addition to being patriotic, the Washington Plantation is also elegant and romantic: luxurious 1000-thread count bed sheets, Irish crystal, and Wedgewood china set the mood for love. Not surprisingly, The Plantation Inn has been voted one of the top 10 Romantic Inns. Please call the innkeepers for details and let them know you found the package on BnBFinder.com.

Soak in a hot tub atop a silo when you stay at the Lindsay House Bed & Breakfast in Manawa, Wisconsin. Present your retired or active duty military card, and receive a special rate and snack upon arrival. Then lose your boots, drop the duffle and head to the nearby partner spa for a soak in a hot tub with an aerial view of the beautiful countryside, or have a relaxing massage. Lindsay House owners Tim and Judy Trull were with the US Air Force before fulfilling their dream of running a bed and breakfast. Now Judy flies high over the stove cooking up amazing authentic Wisconsin breakfasts for guests. A self-professed foodie, she is fearless in the kitchen and proudly uses locally grown and produced foods. Experience such culinary treats as strawberry ricotta pancakes with orange sauce, or ginger marmalade scones in the warm and welcoming dining room. For more details, mention the “Military Pride” special and BnBFinder.com when making reservations.

Find more packages and specials for military, peace officers, and firefighters under Military Specials at BnBFinder.com.

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