first time in Europe, utterly confused about where to go and when! :(

Paris - 4 nights
Train to Amsterdam - 3 nights
Train to Berlin - 4 nights
Train to Prague - 3 nights

OR

Paris - 4 nights
Fly to Venice - 3 nights
Train to Florence - 3 nights
Train to Rome - 4 nights

Better weather if you choose Italy for late October travel.

If I understand correctly, you'll have two weeks of travel and it will be in late October. I would suggest focusing on two cities: Paris and Rome. Fly to Paris, spend 4-5 days there, then take a high-speed train to Rome and fly home from Rome at the end of your trip. You might stop off for a day or two in either Milan or Florence, then go on to Rome.

For details of the train trip options, see
http://www.raileurope-world.com/train-tickets/journeys/article/paris-rome

or
http://www.eurail.com/en/europe-train/popular-routes/how-get-paris-rome-train (Note that this site promotes the Eurailpass, which would not be recommended for you since you would not be traveling by train all over Europe.)

thank you both. I am understanding that Italy will be the better option considering the weather. I have been reading about this ans have come across quite a few mentions of attractions running on shortened schedules or being shut. Is that going to be across Italy & Paris and should I be worried about that?

have come across quite a few mentions of attractions running on
shortened schedules or being shut. Is that going to be across Italy &
Paris and should I be worried about that?

It depends on where you go as some of the coastal resort areas start closing up for winter in the late fall - which isn't a season for beaches - but you won't have any problems with Paris, Rome, Florence or other larger cities. Hours at the some of the attractions may be slightly shorter but nothing to cause concern.

Welcome to the RS Forum!

You have some hard choices to make, but any of the choices you mentioned would be great! I've been to Amsterdam, Paris and Italy. They are all so different, but charming in their own way.

Since you will be going after October 15, I suggest Paris-Italy. Paris is absolutely gorgeous in the Fall. There may be a chance of a rainy day, but that can add to the beauty and the adventure. We spent 10 days in Tuscany two weeks before Christmas. The weather ranged from one day of clouds and sprinkles to a couple of frosty mornings to brilliant sun and temperatures in low 60's (15c). The weather had no effect on our plans, we just adapted accordingly. Even that late, the countryside was still pretty.

Everything will be open and ready for you to enjoy. You will have an absolutely fabulous time! The following year, you need to come see me in the US, if you've never been. I live in the southern US. We'll sit on my wraparound porch and drink sweet tea while watching the hummingbirds.

Paris - 4 nights
Fly to Venice - 3 nights
Train to Florence - 3 nights
Train to Rome - 4 nights

David has offered a nice option for seeing Paris plus the highlights of Italy. Do fly from Paris to Venice. The recommendation to take a high'speed train from Paris to Rome is not a good one for a short trip. It is a VERY long day on the train (we have done it) which kills a complete day of your trip, and there is not a good night train option. Flights are cheap so take advantage of that.

You should take some time to think about what types of things interest you and use that as a guide to point you where to go. For example, the first time my wife an I went to Europe, she had a concert in Paris (she is a classical pianist). For her, as a classical musician, going to Vienna was a must, since it was the home of so many grate composers. And for me, I absolutely love the mountains and wanted to see Switzerland. Ultimately, we created a circle tour, where we went from Paris to Venice, Vienna, Salzburg, Switzerland, and back to Paris.

I have not been to Prague,but I have a friend who went twice in two years because he loved it so much and I have to say from the pictures he showed me, it seemed like a great place to visit.

However, the Paris and Italy trip offers many fantastic places to visit, and in Italy especially, many places are closer together so the travel time in between destinations is shorter.

If museums/churchs hold less interest, and would like to spend time just relaxing, then you may want to considers spending at least part of your time out in the countryside of whatever countries you end up going to (for example, if in Italy, consider spending time in Tuscany).

If you do decide to go to Italy, then one thing I would say is do not miss Venice. For me at, least, it is one of the most magical places I have ever visited, and like nothing else. I have been there three times, and each time was just an amazing experience.