Which countries are you visiting Ronda? If it's anywhere near me here then our rose season starts about mid May, apart from one or two early birds in April, but we don't really call it a Spring flush as for the most part the best time to see roses in southern England would be about the 2nd or 3rd week in June, when most are flushing well. We think of that as early Summer...

May might be better in Paris (Rosarie D la Hay, Bagatelle) or Italy Ninfa.

Here in Italy (northern Italy, foothills of the Apennines) the warm climate roses' main flowering is through the month of May; once-flowering roses of European origins run from about mid-May to mid-June. There are stragglers before and after. Your best shot at seeing the most roses here is the second half of May. In this country I would recommend checking out Roseto Carla Fineschi, in Tuscany, which I visited twelve years ago, spending two full days there in May, but haven't seen since; and I hear wonderful things about Ninfa but have never been there (I wish!). I hear that Florence has a good rose garden, but check opening dates. I've never seen it, but if you were going to Florence anyway I'd take a look.

By the way....welcome back.

England, France, Germany and the North of Italy are candidate places. Peak bloom times will vary but in general they are May-June in these places. Starting in Italy and touring to France, Germany and then England may allow one to catch an extended flush.... lol

If you are thinking of including Germany in your itinerary, the best time to visit Europa-Rosarium Sangerhausen is mid-June in most years, or a little earlier if spring has been warm. Ninfa is wonderful but difficult to get access to as it's open only the first weekend and third Sunday of every month unless you are in a group. The rose garden at Mottisfont Abbey was perfect the second week in June when I visited but I suppose that can vary with the weather.

Hey Ronda! I can't give advice, but would like to say welcome back! What part of SC are you in? I would love to know what roses you grow! Have fun on your trip!

If you go to Paris, the Rodin museum has a lovely rose garden (The Thinker is in the middle of one section), and there is a small planting behind Notre-Dame de Paris. I would recommend June. I was at the Rodin this past May, and the roses were budding. But, watch the weather. Two years ago there was a very warm spring, and roses were blooming in April. Enjoy!

Years ago, Cass talked about trying to see the bloom at de l'Haye. I think she said she'd tried five or six times and always missed it. The Norman Dome is IMO a must see that I probably never will.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseraie_de_L%27Ha%C3%BF

I found the Paris de l'Haye bloom a little past peak 6/10/14 but the Dome was spectacular. OTOH I saw roses blooming nicely in Southern England 5/mid/11 which was early that year. Diane is right of course, but it is hard to time rose viewing if you plan trips way ahead as I have done and aren't there a month. It would be better to stay longer and have flexibility, but then your garden at home is at risk and your Dog suffers. I might prefer to err on the early side when things are so fresh, but blossoms gone by can be very educational too. In any case Ronda, have a great time. Post how your timing worked out after the fact if you can. Nik is right of course, start in the warm areas and work your way to England.

No information to add, Ronda, but nice to hear from you again. Hope all is well.