If the SLC-AMS leg is the one leaving at 2pm...it is a rugged flight. I say that because you are not tired enough to fall asleep until final couple of hours of the flight. You then land in AMS just after midnight on the body clock. Literally messes with your whole first day of arrival. By the time you get to Rome you will just want to sleep.
CDG flight is nice because it leaves at 5pm or so. Lets you eat, watch a movie and then get some sleep. You land around 4am on the body clock, which isn't too horrid. Make your connecting flight, you will doze...but by time you are in Rome, hotel room should be ready. Drop your stuff off and you will only need to fight off jet lag for 6-8 hours. You should be ready to go the next morning.
I agree with everyone on the return--take one of the overseas nonstops. Nothing worse than collecting bags and/or missing a connection.
Last edited by SLCEO; Jul 17, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Reason: adding