Cologne City Town Guide Dubbed the "Rome of the North", Cologne has a reputation as the most attractive town in Germany. Nestling in the shadow of its famous cathedral, the town that once housed Julius Cesar's personal sword remains, is characterized by its numerous churches and museums. Cologne is one of the major world centres for the contemporary art trade, but its true face is to be found among the classically German streets that encircle the historic center. Five ideas for discovering another side to the city -  Unearth Cologne's important ancient history at the Germano-Roman museum, featuring ancient mosaics and reconstructions of funeral monuments. -  Be amazed by the fascinating decorations in the funeral chapel of Saint Ursula, to be found within the Roman church of the same name. -  Put your finger on the pulse of the latest in contemporary art by visiting the art galleries in the Belgisches Viertel (so-called because the streets in the district are named after towns in Belgium and Luxembourg). -  Take a shopping trip to Düsseldorf, the German luxury goods capital, 30 km from Cologne. -  Immerse yourself in stunning Baroque architecture at the Augustusburg, the former palace of the archbishops of Cologne, in Brühl, to the south of the city - see the wonderful gardens too! Time difference Cologne is one hour ahead of GMT during winter, and two hours ahead during summer. To call Cologne Dial the international code followed by 49 for Germany, then 221 for Cologne and the 3 to 8 digits of the person you are calling. Climate Average temperatures by season: - Spring: 12° C - Summer: 22° C - Autumn: 10° C - Winter: 1° C Holidays These dates apply to the whole of Germany: - 1 January: New Year - Epiphany (date varies) - Good Friday and Easter Monday (dates vary) - 1 May: Labour Day - Ascension (date varies) - Monday after Pentecost (date varies) - 14 June: Corpus Christi - 15 August: Assumption - 3 October: Unification Day - 1 November: All Saints Day - 25 and 26 December: Christmas Getting around The best way to explore downtown is on foot. Travelling by car in Cologne is not recommended. It is better to take public transportation or a bicycle. The underground is the best way to get around town. Trains leave every fifteen minutes for Düsseldorf. Cologne Tourism Office Köln Tourism Office: Unter Fettenhennen 19 50667 Köln, Germany Tel.: (international n° +49) 221 33 45 Fax: (international n° +49) 221 33 20 Cologne on the Web http://www.koeln.de See our Cultural calendar Back