Recent snow flurries notwithstanding, spring is soon upon us. If you’ve been outside in Germany over the past few days, you may well have noticed a welcome sight -- crocuses and daffodils have already sprouted, at least in our part of the world.

Are you willing to travel to spot the blossoming flora? If so, you’re not a second too early to start planning a trip.

Netherlands’ Keukenhof gardens kick off its 2008 season on March 20 and remain open through May 18. While no expert on the place, I’ve visited it twice, and the better of the two trips by far took place the first weekend in May, when the tulips were in their full glory. It’s an unforgettable sight. The tempo at which the flowers open depends upon the warmth of the spring, so it’s hard to put a definitive date on when you should visit; however, it could be fun to be there on April 26, when the annual Flower Parade passes by.

Don’t feel like driving while in Netherlands? Buy a combi-ticket from Connexxion, which includes a round-trip bus ride to the gardens, along with an entry ticket. The cost of the pass is 19 euros for adults and 10 euros for children ages 4-11, and you can catch the bus from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport or Leidseplein, as well as the towns of Leiden or Haarlem. If you’d prefer to drive to Keukenhof, the cost of entry to the park is 13.30 euros for adults and 6 euros for the kids.

Maybe the Netherlands isn’t on your radar, but you’d still like to visit a park or garden this spring. Briggs & Stratton, yes, the producer of lawn mowers, sponsors an annual competition for Best Parks in Europe. Participating countries include Germany, Sweden, France, Italy and Britain. Check out its site to see names of the parks that made the top 10 in each country. Places not too terribly far from military communities include Cologne’s Rheinpark and Auenpark in Marktredwitz in Germany, Plobsheim’s Jardin de Marguerite and Granges sur Vologne’s Jardin de Berchigranges in France; and Tivoli’s Villa de Este, Villa Gamberaia in Settignano, and Reggia di Caserta in Italy. Note that some of these parks may reach peak attractiveness at times outside of spring.

Interested in the suggestions of fellow travelers? Visit Rick Steves’ graffiti wall, a virtual community through which travelers share their knowledge, under the heading Gardens of Europe.

What’s your favorite park for viewing the springtime blossoms?