Located in the centre of Etten-Leur, the Van Gogh Church offers a fascinating glimpse into what is probably the least known period in Vincent van Gogh’s life, but certainly not the least important! ‘The start of a career’ This is the church where Van Gogh’s father was minister for seven years and where Van Gogh could regularly be found. Vincent van Gogh first registered as an artist in Etten in 1881. For nine months he lived and worked in the parsonage behind the Dutch Reformed Church. He also had his first drawing studio here. ‘Precious memories’ In the Van Gogh Church you can see how Vincent wrestled with drawing but became better at it through sheer hard work. How he was infatuated by his cousin Kee Vos and the drama which then unfolded. How he had arguments with his father. How he left Etten at Christmas 1881 but never forgot it. ‘Around the Van Gogh Church’ All these unusual stories are told in and around the Van Gogh Church. Nine colourful windows, multilingual information panels, showcases, animation, a film, a garden, an oversized portrait wall and audio columns take you back in time. The ‘Van Gogh in virtual reality’ is new: you will be immersed in an almost a real life encounter with Vincent van Gogh through a computer simulated environment. Van Gogh Shop The Van Gogh Shop has a large variety of souvenirs. It is also the ideal starting point for a Van Gogh walk or a cycle trip through the surrounding area. Van Gogh heritage location The Van Gogh Church and Van Gogh Shop (Markt 4) are within walking distance from the bus and railway stations. There is a multi-storey car park very close to the church. The locations are also on the Van Gogh Cycle Route that connects the five heritage locations in Brabant with each other.

The Xiqu Centre building, inspired by the design of traditional Chinese lanterns, seems to invite you inside with its facade resembling a futuristic interpretation of stage curtains opening. 1,073 guests can enjoy Xiqu exhibitions and the traditional Chinese opera in the Grand Theatre, while the Tea House Theatre holds 200 seats. Guided tours in different languages can also be booked.

Cheong Fatt Tze, the Blue Mansion, was one of the wealthiest merchants of the 19th century, and Penang Straits Settlement imported artisans from China to build this opulent 38-room mansion. With its five courtyards, carved woodwork, Gothic louvered windows and cast iron, the mansion is a fascinating fusion of East and West culture. The building was restored at a cost of 7.6 million ringgit, and it is crammed with sculptures, antique furniture and tapestries, while now being a unique boutique hotel. However, it is also open for non-residents during guided tours, so book one ahead.

St Peter's Church in Riga is known for its tall tower, which offers stunning views of the city, including the red roofs of Old Town, the modern part of Riga, Riga Bay, and the Daugava River with its large port. The church itself was originally built in 1209, but only a few walls and pillars remain from that time. The Gothic tower, which was over 130 meters tall, was completed in the late 15th century. However, it collapsed in 1666 and was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1690–at the time, it was the tallest wooden structure in the world. In 1721, the tower was struck by lightning and burned down. It was later restored, but once again it burned down during World War II. Renovation of the tower began in 1967, and today, it stands at a height of 123.25 meters. Visitors can access the second gallery, which is 72 meters above the ground. In 1997, St Peter's Church was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list.