Syria - Jordan

So the one & only thing you want to see in Jordan is Petra?

1. Do some more research - you need to work out if you rate seeing Bosra higher than, for example, seeing Jerash. Or, in fact, are you SUCH a dedicated historical scholar that you prefer to see an ancient site rather than spending a day roaming around, say, Tartous or Bludane or Ajloun or Karak? In the same way, do you really prefer spending a full day travelling around Maalula, Sednaya and Mar Musa over spending a day in Wadi Rum? All of this is fine if so, but you need to be aware that out of 12 days, you are spending 10 of them in Syria.

2. Travelling time. On a short trip like this, is it worth spending all that time travelling Damascus-Bosra-Damascus?

3. "is it possible to get from petra to damascus in a day?" - If you've got money, anything is possible. Presuming that you won't be renting a private taxi all the way, though, this is not really feasible. Petra-Amman by bus is at least 3 hours - and it's only possible in the mornings. Amman-Damascus by bus/taxi is about the same, depending on the border crossing. Why spend a full day on the road? Instead, one solution would be to fly to Amman, and then go the next day to Damascus. Then you can see Petra at the end of your trip, and return to the airport.

4. "i hear its easier to access petra thru madaba". Not true. It's much easier to get to Petra from Amman. From Madaba, your only option is to take the minibus run by the Mariam Hotel. As for Madaba being a "better" first stopping point - depends what you mean by "better". I like Amman; some people don't. But it sounds like you're going to be spending no time there anyway - you'll be getting up in the morning and getting straight on the road to drive to Petra, so it doesn't really matter where you sleep.

5. Since you're asking opinions, I think this is way too fast and unbalanced. The fact that you're thinking about flying Damascus-Aleppo says it all: you're trying to do too much. Syria is great, but so is Jordan; the latter is also much smaller. Here's what I think:
Day 1: arrive Amman, spend time in Amman
Day 2: hang around Amman, explore downtown, explore uptown, take a few hours for a countryside drive to see Jerash, return to Amman
Day 3: head early to Damascus; full day in Damascus
Day 4: full day in Damascus, perhaps with a side-trip into the mountains (Maalula/Sednaya? Bludane? Or just sit on Qassioun)
Day 5: Palmyra
Day 6: Palmyra morning; sleep in Homs or Hama
Day 7: Krak des Chevaliers, perhaps hang around Tartous for a bit as well, eat fish; sleep Homs or Hama
Day 8: head to Aleppo, full day in Aleppo
Day 9: full day in Aleppo, perhaps with a side-trip to Serjilla or somewhere nice
Day 10: return to Damascus; afternoon in Damascus; evening to Amman
Day 11: Amman-Petra
Day 12: Petra
Day 13: morning bus Petra-Wadi Rum; full day in Rum; sleep in the desert
Day 14: morning Rum-Amman; from Amman, side trip to Madaba/Mount Nebo and/or Dead Sea; sleep in Amman or Madaba
Day 15: flight home

Why not stick to just one country if you have only two weeks?

I was just going to say that it will take you most of a day to get from Petra to Damascus.

That's quite a nice itinerary, ruff. I still say that "exploring Amman" isn't so very interesting for a tourist, but don't forget the Friday souk JARA for handcrafts. With transport time, I doubt if there's time for Tartous and the Krak in the same day, otherwise a quick trip to Arwad makes a change from travelling in buses. Better to get closer to Aleppo which it would be a pity to rush through, in fact I would spend more time there than in Damascus.

Two weeks is more than enough for Jordan & Syria, it also depends on your interest - I did Syria and Jordan in 8 days. Since you are flying into Amman - head to Syria and work your way back to Amman. I kept business cards on the places that I stayed in Jordan.

My comments on your itinerary is for Syria, start out in Aleppo and make your way to Damascus and base yourself there. Palymyra is a day trip - no need for 2 days there, it is just ruins - nothing else there. Head from Damascus to Amman; by bus it is 3-4 hours. Base yourself in Amman (recommend Shepherd Hotel - email: shepherdhtl@joinnet.com.jo OR the more upscale Belle Vue Hotel - www.bellevue.com.jo) and get a driver to take you to Jerash, Madaba, Mt. Nebo (these three cities can be seen in 1 day), and on to Petra. Stay in Petra (recommend Amra Palace Hotel - www.amrapalace.com, 962-79 5554628. Tours for Wadi Rum are readily available in Petra. I would spend a few days relaxing & mud-bathing at the Dead Sead after all your trekking, you will need to unwind. The Movenpick Hotel is just the place for that although it is a BIG Splurge.

Accommodations in Syria were not that impressive so recommendations there.

Lastly, get the Lonely Planet Guidebook for Jordan; they recommended the Shepherd mentioned above and it was OK; my preference was the Belle Vue, it is new and the bathrooms have ceiling to floor windows for great views of Amman.

I love Petra, but it's really the odd destination out on your list - in my opinion, you should just fly into Syria and stay there the whole time. You could use buses to get everywhere in a few hours; flying between Aleppo/Damascus is overkill and I suspect that you'd end up arriving by road in about the same time that you would by plane, airport time considered.

Really, pick one country. Based on your itinerary, Syria seems to be the best choice - though either place makes for a great 2 week trip.

Any hotel recommendations for Amman? I am okay for upper budget or mid-range category? which area is better to stay? Jebel amman seems best bet given its close to bus station? Does the airport bus run straight to abdali bus station? Thanks.