Murraysburg, Karoo

Murraysburg barely qualifies as a Western Cape town, lying as it does on the very parameters of the province's borders with the Northern Cape in the Great Karoo. It's a beautiful little town nestled up against the Sneeuberg Mountain, picturesque and largely undiscovered. There are rustic old homesteads with immaculate gardens, many of which still sport a quince hedge - one of the age old requisites of buying property in the town in days gone by. And it's a favourite amongst crafters and artists who have chosen to settle here away from the hubub of city living - the wide streets and Karoo cottages a worthwhile barter.

Essentially a stay here is about the great outdoors, and hiking, cave stays and escapes to neighbouring farms in the rolling plains and mountainous countryside is the essence of your experience. But look around and you might find an example of a Victorian style home that opens its doors to visitors, making its pressed ceilings and marble fireplaces available to others to enjoy its 1800s splendour.

The centre of town still sports the odd windmill and surprisingly well maintained and watered vegetable gardens, whilst views over town from the hills reveal a sleepy little town, the spires of the local church visible above the tree line. Snow on the ground is not unheard of during winter, whilst the summers can get really hot and the temperature is seldom below thirty degrees.

The major draw card here is without doubt the tranquility, the open spaces and the effortless way of life that allows all you come here to slow down. Hiking, fly fishing, walks and exploration is peppered with hours of simply being.