For the Ancient Rome experts. I'll be in Rome early November, but I just bought the plane ticket so it's on my mind now. I'm looking at tours of the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine complex. I was less excited about these than some of the art but thought I'd get more out of the visit with one of the recommended tours. But now there are options that I'd like help with. The tours are either the Colosseum with underground/arena/third tier plus the Forum and Palatine, or the Colosseum with just first and second level plus Forum and Palatine with Caesar's and Livia's homes.
The Palatine interested me since, if I understand it right, that's where people actually lived. But how special is seeing these particular homes, or is this a very specific interest? Comparable to the Domus Aurea which is also an option that could take their place? Or how much more do you really get out of the Colosseum by going underground or to the third tier? Can these be seen from above and you're just getting a close up view, or do they add something significant?
Thoughts from anyone who has seen it all?