Suggestions for how to spend the morning b4 a long tour

I don't know how well your family tolerates heat, but if it was me, I'd be saving all my energy for the afternoon. We'd probably have a late breakfast or early lunch and stroll around the Campo before heading out to the meet up spot. Don't forget the sunscreen, hats, and water.

There are lots of interesting things between the Campo and the Colosseo metro stop, and you'll probably want to fit a lunch stop in there somewhere? Your three morning hours will go by quickly.

Check out the excavation at Area Sacra di Largo Argentina. There's signage to tell you what you're looking at.

http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/area-sacra-di-largo-argentina?lang=en

Wander over to the Jewish Ghetto and around Teatro Marcello and Portico of Octavia. There are signs here also to tell you what you're looking at.

http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/teatro-marcello?lang=en

http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/portico-dottavia?lang=en

Circo Massimo:

http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/circo-massimo?lang=en

San Nicola in Carcere:

http://www.060608.it/en/cultura-e-svago/luoghi-di-culto-di-interesse-storico-artistico/chiese-cattoliche/chiesa-san-nicola-in-carcere.html

Climb up the Aventine to lovely and very old Santa Sabina; a favorite of mine. Get nice view of the city from the orange garden next door. Rome's municipal rose garden is also up here and might still be in bloom:

http://www.060608.it/en/cultura-e-svago/luoghi-di-culto-di-interesse-storico-artistico/chiese-cattoliche/basilica-di-santa-sabina-all-aventino.html

http://www.060608.it/en/cultura-e-svago/verde/giardini-ville-e-parchi-urbani/roseto-comunale.html

Aaaaaand, peer through the keyhole in the gate of the Priory of the Knights of Malta at an interestingly framed view of St Pete's dome:

http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinations/lazio/rome/sights/knights_malta.html

Just a start? :O)

You have to be at the meeting spot 45 minutes before the tour?

Since they want to change it and therefore change the terms of your contract, I would consider changing to another company which can accommodate you in the morning or do the Rick Steves Audio Tour at your own speed on your own without a guide.

Why did they say the time had changed?

I heartily endorse ALL of Kathy's suggestions! There are many places to visit and areas to mosey through that easily fill the morning time that opened up for you.

To supplement the excellent suggestions so far, consider some of these places as well:

Crypta Balbi Museum: Learn about the layers of Centro Storico Rome, from the Augustan period through the Medieval period. Fascinating, and one of my favorite museums in Rome. They open at 9am. Only cautionary note: They are closed on Mondays.

Museo Barracco: A unique collection of ancient sculpture from multiple ancient Mediterranean civilizations (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Palmyran, etc.). So cool, and it's FREE!

The courtyard of Palazzo Mattei close to Campo de' Fiori. An eclectic use of spolia to decorate the courtyard. It's in Piazza Mattei where the Turtle Fountain is located.

Kathy: Excellent call-out for Santa Sabina, and excited to hear that's a favorite church for you! I tried to visit Sabina while visiting Giardino degli Aranci back in February; however, missed the opportunity due to services going on. So bummed! Now, I'm even more encouraged to prioritize a visit there on my next trip - thanks!

Thanks for the replies so far! And the links, too. I was thinking that a nice walk from Giardino degli Aranci to Santa Sabina to the Knights of Malta Keyhole followed by a quick bite to eat in Testacchio would fit nicely into that morning. I've heard that it is a shady area?

Nigel- the tour company said that they received a "block cancellation from the Colosseum". I'm not sure what that means but it is really annoying. Also, we don't have to be at the tour 45 minutes ahead of time, I just like to plan to be early which usually means we end up being on time. I don't want to scrap the tour because of the time change. It was a gift from my husband to my sons and me (this tour and Walk's of Italy Pristine Sistine which is thankfully still on track). I appreciate your thoughts tho.

Yes! Giardino degli Aranci, Santa Sabina, and Knights of Malta are within steps of each other on the Aventine.

Testaccio is a hike south in the opposite direction you need to be for your tour. I definitely recommend visiting Testaccio (getting a private tour of Monte Testaccio was one of my highlights of my first trip), but, you need to be heading north toward your meeting point. I believe there are some lunch spots around the Aventine / Circo Massimo area, as well as the area east of the Colosseum where Basilica di San Clemente is.

I also HIGHLY recommend Basilica di San Clemente. More layers of history and outstanding Cosmatesque floors!

It's going to be hot in June, and you'll be outside a lot on your tour.
May I suggest packing a small umbrella to use as a sunshade.
Also, perhaps those neck scarves that you soak with water , and they stay cool on you for a few hours.
I always carry a small spray bottle full of tap water; think tiny, like a travel size pump hairspray bottle that you've washed out and refilled with water.
Then spray it on your face, neck and arms as you get hot; it works great!
Also a cheap handheld paper fan.
(A Dollar Store is great for these items.)
Enjoy your tour, and lovely Rome!

Kathy: Excellent call-out for Santa Sabina, and excited to hear that's
a favorite church for you! I tried to visit Sabina while visiting
Giardino degli Aranci back in February; however, missed the
opportunity due to services going on...

Oh Joanna, I DO hope you make it next time! While much of her former glory disappeared a long time ago, St. Sabina is still a dignified and very interesting old lady! Maybe too plain for some, compared to all the glitz and gilt in others of Rome's churches but that's why I love her. She has a looooong history, and you feel it when in her presence. :O)

Lynn, if you decide visit her, do some reading in advance so you understand why she's well worth the climb up the hill? Just a start:

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-santa-sabina

Some of my own writings about the rose garden (Roseto Comunale di Roma)? It's said there was once a temple to Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, there, and it was the burial place for Rome's Jewish community for several centuries. As part of Mussolini’s rebuilding plan, remains in the old cemetery were exhumed in 1934 and moved to massive Verano Cemetery.

In 1950, the area became a public park and new home for a collection of roses previously given to the city in 1932 by a former Pennsylvanian, Countess Mary Gayley Senni, for a garden in Parco Colle Oppio. In a thoughtful nod to its previous residents, the paths in the upper part of the garden were laid out in the shape of a menorah, and today over a thousand varieties of blooms from many countries cover the hillside in an explosion of color and scent. Around the third week in May, the international Primo Roma contest is held here to choose the best new entries, and those winners comprise a smaller garden in the lower section across the street.

Another nice bonus is a great view of the Palatine from the gardens!

Thanks so much for the detailed information and suggestions. Its so kind of you to respond so generously with information! I think I'll sketch out two tentative plans for the morning before our long tour. If it is pleasant out, we will visit the Keyhole -> Santa Sabina -> Giardino degli Aranci. If it is hot and getting hotter, we will go to the Basilica di San Clemente (we have plans to go on another day but visiting before the Colosseum seems to work well geographically). Now I just need to scope out our transportation options and some bakeries or cafes where we can grab a quick/early bite before the tour. Thanks again for helping me revise my plans. What an amazing day this will be!

Lynn,
You will learn so much by visiting the San Clemente Church, it’s layers go back to Roman times (what doesn’t in Rome?), and, even before, I think. We had a guide to explain it all to us - I was on a Rick Steves tour. Another bonus is it’s cool inside the church! Very conveniently located near the Colosseum. Our hotel was also near there, easy walking distance.