Which country would you vote for?
 

I am planning an international trip solo end of May for maximum 10 days excluding travel days.
I love walking, nature, water, art and history.
I am not a fan of cold weather, traffic, tall buildings or congestion.

Which one would you vote for?

1. Spain : Barcelona
2. Greece: Athens and another Island
3. Amsterdam and Brussels
4. Mexico City

Thanks so much

Just to get a better idea of what you’re looking for, if no “traffic, tall buildings or congestion” why have you chosen almost all cities for consideration?

. . . yes, four large, busy cities plus the ENORMOUS Mexico City (22,000,000+ population)

My thoughts as well. That list gives me - an avid walker and nature lover - traffic, tall building and congestion hater - heart palpitations.

Greece!

Do some research. We are here to help, but your question is way too broad.

Greece. Athens will be busy but choose an island without an airport. If ferry only, I think fewer tourists.

depending on what passes for "tall" in your mind then Barcelona

For me it would be Mexico City. Yes it is a huge city, but you can be out of the city and into nature and some great hiking in an hour or two. But, looking at your profile, you asked a very similar question some 4 years ago. What did you decide back then?

I've cycled Amsterdam to Brugges, I don't think the OP has that on their radar

For what you say you like, none of your list. Spain, but not Barcelona. Granada would be a great start: history, art, nature, hiking, etc. Flowers, gardens, trees, olive groves will be at their peak. Walking in the hills around the Alhambra should be glorious then. Even in late Fall, it was beautiful and locals told me the best time was April and May.

Greece
Amsterdam, not Brussels, add more in Netherlands like Leiden, The Hague

Considering you like nature, why pick cities? For instance, in Belgium rather than Brussels, why not the Ardennes? Or Flemish Brabant?

Lavandula

I once spent the third week of May in Barcelona and almost froze to death. Weather around the northern med can be colder than you expect.

Greece is the only European stop on your list that's almost assured to be warm.

You could add Rome to your list. It will tend to be warmer than Barcelona. The beach is easier in Barcelona but Rome has it's own. Plenty of art . Ten days you could tack on Florence.

How about Florence and Cinque Terra? That would mix art and low buildings (Florence), with nature, walking and water (Cinque Terra). With 10 days, you could also do other day trips from Florence.

I'll second Italy. It has all of these listed - nature, art, history, water.
But I'd suggest Southern Italy as most likely it will be warmer/sunnier.

Something like the Amalfi coast if you don't mind a touristy place or the little-visited by non-Italians Puglian Adriatic coast. You can base yourself in Bari and do day trips up and down by car. There's the salt marsh Saline di Margherita di Savoia that sometimes turns pink and there are sometimes flamingos there.

Lots of totally off the beaten path places in Puglia like if you like coastal towns there are Giovinazzo, Molfetta, Trani, Barletta, Castle of Manfredonia, Mola di Bari. More inland there are nice hills in Parco Nazionale del Gargano but it also borders on some interesting coastal towns, some perched on top of the rocks with great views to the sea, and there are some beaches. Further south in Puglia in the inland interesting places are Gravina in Puglia (that's the name) and Altamura.

Yes, the warm weather makes a big difference and I can only fly out during that time period.
as for Italy, for the reasons you mentioned I have been there three times: to Florence, Rome, Venice,, Siena, Tuscany, amalfy coast and Naples
so it is wisest to try a new country :) . Based on what you said Greece seems to score the highest
the priciest are going up as we speak so I should act fast. I think I should choose Athens as my mainland and visit the islands. Just a prelim though .
thank you

I don't know how DIY you are, but the Greek tourism industry makes it easy to take a combined Athens/Islands tour. Looking forward to hearing about your trip...where ever you decide upon.

I would choose a different island in Greece, called Hydra. It is a two-hour ferry ride from Athens. If you prefer a quiet place, you will love Hydra. There are no cars on the island, only cats and mules and horses that carry things around the cobbled streets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_(island)