we are planning a short trip to greece this summer at the end of june/early july for about 4-5 days. i am most interested in athens and santorini and hope to cover that but is there anything else that I need to keep in mind, any must-sees? the other site that interests me is the meteora...are there day trips/tours to the monastries from athens? how easy is it to plan that trip? if I am missing any other can't-miss sights, can you please let me know!? if need be, we can extend our trip... thanks so much!
With only 4-5 days you just don't have enough time for more than Athens and one island if you want to make the best use of your time. Otherwise you'll be wasting valuable hours packing, moving from island to island, finding your next hotel and unpacking again, all the while knowing that you have to move again in just a day or so. Being able to relax into the rhythm of an island is as important an aspect of your experience of the Greek islands as being there in the first place. That takes some time.
Save Athens for the end of your trip so you don't have to rush back to the mainland at the last stressful moment for your flight home.
SS - Lee is spot on with his advice. Santorini is spectacular - I ama bit prejudiced since I live there a few months a year!! You will love it
Back to Athens for a bit of exploration and then home - Yes - Meteora is Amazing and there are many trips out of Athens available BUT - You simply don't have time this trip
Greg