With not a moment to spare in the heady metropolis that is George, we were whisked off to the George Museum where our guide Zanele takes us on a quick tour – the highlight of which must surely be the kids' interactive puppet show where children are encouraged to make up their own stories using the puppets.

The museum has grown from the private collections of Charles Sayers. He was the owner and editor of the George and Knysna Herald, which was established by his parents in 1881. He preserved everything but had a particular interest in old mechanical musical instruments and typewriters that today form the nucleus of the museum's collection. He opened his "mini museum" to the public in a single room adjoining a café in Courtenay Street in 1967. It was very popular and, encouraged by the local authorities, he moved it to the George Town House. The original mini museum has been recreated within the present museum.

After a full day on the town we retire to our rustic and warm home for the night, otherwise known as Linda's B&B. Quaint and comfortable, the guest house provides a perfect "home-from-home" for the overnight traveler and also has an interleading family bedroom. The very reasonable rate includes a full English breakfast - the rooms are cozy and warm with limited satellite and wonderfully comfortable beds and crisp linen – as well as the nicest shower head I have ever experienced. It's off to Timberlake Village early the next morn. Timberlake has been going for five years and constitutes a "village" where you can find anything from home-made goats milk cheese, original sweets, local olives and honeys as well as local wines, all open seven days a week. Our guide Nikki, owner of the wine shop, tells us that the village has a vigorous patronage among the locals in George and surrounding areas. I like that idea....

Timberlake is a village of specialist cabins: Sugar and Spice, cheese, wine, a health shop, the Faerie Gem, Eden Nursery, Cafe d'Afrique coffee shop for award-winning cheesecake, Zucchini restaurant for hearty country style meals, the Country Deli for traditional South African takeaways and the Oyster Shack for fresh wild coastal oysters.

Timberlake supports local and "slow food" principles. They also boast extensive kids facilities: a racetrack, jungle gym, trampoline, friendly goats, fantasy garden walk and much more... the best way to enjoy the Garden Route.

Too soon we have to wave this surprising, refreshing and beautiful town goodbye. But by George, it was fun!

More things to do in George:

- THREE CAMELEONS

An ideal starter course for youngsters and beginners who are often intimidated by a big course.

- PERDEPOORT

The horse trails run through the beautiful indigenous forest on the farm and traverses small rivers and creeks with sightings of Baboon and Bushbuck. All types of riders are welcome as there are different types of routes available for both beginners and more experienced riders, accompanied and supervised by the owner.

- WOODVILLE BIGTREE

Woodville Big Tree, over 800 years old, creates shaded areas with its massive branches, making it a great picnic spot. Take a stroll along the boardwalk (also wheelchair-friendly) which is part of the Pied Kingfisher Trail and home to a wide variety of birds.

- WILDWOODS TREE ADVENTURES

The Wild Woods Tree Adventure Park consists of two Kids courses and three Adult courses with 74 aerial platforms connected by zip lines, bridges, Tarzan swings and obstacles with over 3.8 km of cabling used to create this unique outdoor adventure park.

- EDEN ADVENTURES

If you love the outdoors, the Wilderness is a fantastic place to spend a holiday. It is in the heart of the South Africa's Garden Route and thus an ideal point from which to explore the area. From canoeing and walking, kloofing or abseiling, even leisurely sightseeing trips, let Eden Adventures show you the best that the Garden Route has to offer.

Contacts:

George Tourism:

http://www.georgetourism.org.za/

Linda's B&B:

Standerstreet 17, 6530 George, Western Cape

tel: 084 573 3100

gmn@absamail.co.za

Redberry Farm:

Tel/Fax: +27 (0)44 870 7123

Cell: 083 2777 421

http://www.redberryfarm.co.za

Timberlake:

http://timberlakeorganic.co.za/contact/

Getting there:

Flights:

South African Airways introduced direct flights between Beijing and Johannesburg in 2012. Go to http://www.flysaa.com/za/en/flyingSAA/News/Saa-introduces-non-stop-flights-to-beijing-china.html. Once in Johannesburg, SA Express and Airlink fly to and from George on a daily basis – go to http://www.airports.co.za/home.asp?pid=4183&sys=sitespecific/livesearch.asp for live updates.