Greece in 2 weeks!!

This may help out...

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/greece/greek-islands-travel-guide-9/

That link is from the UK version of the Lonely Planet shop, but should be available on the U.S. version too.

Would reccomend the paper version over the electronic formats.

Easier to use than equivalent books on Kindle, Kindle for iPad and on desktops too.

I have this book in the paper format and have been marking up pages of interest with Post it notes and individual attractions, bars, cafes etc with a highlighter pen in readiness for a potential trip later in the year.

Once I've done this, book will be passed over to GF for her to do the same so we have a basis for a plan...

Once you've read it and seen info on travel and ferries etc, come back on here with more specific questions - have noticed that questions are usually replied to quite quickly on this branch of TT.

I'd think twice about Airbnb. Far too many hosts trying to capitalise on scruffy spare rooms / flats / houses. For the same money look on something like booking.com for budget hotels and guest houses that offer amenities and have no resident hosts watching your every move.

Does it make sense to choose islands that are relatively close to each other as to save time and money on ferries??

Yes! If you don't know anything about islands anyway, then where you go is not so crucial. Go with convenience.

Ferry timetables:
http://www.gtp.gr/

If you go to Santorini first (fly from Athens .. connecting flight?), then take the most frequent ferry line back to Piraeus, stop off at either Naxos or Paros.

Do you think that going to 3 islands in around 11 nights is too much??

It would be for me. I like to relax and get to know a place, and any middle to large Cycladic island has enough places to visit to cover several days. Also cheaper.

an affordable airbnb

No. I agree with poster #2 on this. I checked airbnb listings for islands/towns I'm familiar with, and they were invariably at least as if not more expensive than family run pensions and small hotels. Nice private room with balcony not that hard to find.

Look for flights straight out to Santorini leaving at least 2 hours after you arrive in Athens. The soonest ferry will be the next morning around 7:30, meaning you'll have to spend the night in Athens or Piraeus before you can get to Santorini, and that ferry takes 8 hours. Flying makes the best sense. It's only 30 minutes.

Santorini doesn't have to be expensive as long as you're not looking for a caldera view off a private terrace while sitting in a hot tub. Use the filter system at www.booking.com to search for affordable accomodations. Inland villages like Messaria and Karterados will have the least expensive hotels.

The closest islands to Santorini easily reached by ferry are Ios, Naxos and Paros. Ferry schedules: www.gtp.gr

Sea temperatures in the Cyclades are currently about 17C - http://seatemperature.info/cyclades-water-temperature.html- I trust you're not expecting it to be tropically warm.

In order to save money, I would also propose to skip expensive ferries. You can find routes with stopover islands in www.ferryhopper.com. They usually take longer, but they can be cheaper.

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