Where to start in January

I'm hoping people can help with my planned itinerary for next year. Because of work commitments I have to travel (to North Africa, the Middle East & Europe) between January and June. I am trying to work out the best way to sequence places in terms of climate and to avoid back-tracking. I can see two options. I'm hoping people can help me choose the better of these or suggest a better one altogether. Here they are:
In both options I have tried to avoid the heat in North Africa and both summer heat/winter cold in Syria. Option (a) also avoids doubling back from Morocco to Jordan/Syria. But if January will be cold would it be better to spend it in Egypt or Morocco/Tunisia?

Option (a)

January 2008: Melbourne – Casablanca
January 2008: Marrakesh/Fes, Morocco (2 weeks)
January 2008: Tunisia (2 weeks)
February 2008: Egypt (4 weeks)
March 2008: Jordan
April 2008: Syria (4 weeks)
May 2008: Venice (1 week); Cinque Terra (1 week)
May 200s: Paris (2 weeks)
June 2008: Lyons (1 week)
June 2008: Cordoba/Granada (2 weeks)
End of June 2008: Grana-Casablanca-Melbourne

Or

Option (b)

January 2008: Melbourne – Cairo
January 2008: Egypt (4 weeks)
February 2008: Tunisia (2 weeks)
February 2008: Marrakesh/Fes, Morocco (2 weeks)
March 2008: Casablanca – Amman, Jordan
March 2008: Jordan
April 2008: Syria (4 weeks)
May 2008: Venice (1 week); Cinque Terra (1 week)
May 200s: Paris (2 weeks)
June 2008: Lyons (1 week)
June 2008: Cordoba/Granada (2 weeks)
End of June 2008: Grana-Casablanca-Melbourne

Thanks a lot. Regards, LyleS