Montagu is an attractive, compact town at the start of the scenic Route 62 road that winds through the Klein Karoo. With a smattering of good restaurants, a couple of interesting museums, some excellent birdwatching and a few quaint bars and shops within the town limits, it’s the sort of place you want to explore on foot.

Airlies Guest House is well-positioned on Montagu’s iconic Church Street, meaning that once you arrive you can ditch your car and wander the sites, stopping here and there to taste the region’s renowned dried fruit, take a dip in the famous hot springs, photograph the road’s eclectic architecture or sample some honest Karoo cooking.

Airlies is one of the town’s more affordable sleeping options, with simple rooms in the main house offering the lowest rates. The thatched home dates back to the start of the 20th century and is decked out in décor to honour the era – think brass bedsteads, freestanding Victorian baths, high ceilings and creaky wooden floors. If you’re looking for something a little more private, the garden rooms each have their own entrance and a small outdoor seating area. Décor here is fresh and modern, with simple bedspreads and paintings that echo aspects of the pretty garden.

Montagu experiences some serious temperature fluctuations so Airlies’ swimming pool is a welcome indulgence after a hot summer day of sightseeing. Luckily there’s also a fireplace for the bracing winter nights, and the owners’ habit of heating the rooms in advance of guest check-in is a nice touch. Airlies doesn’t accept children under the age of 12, so it’s no good for a family break, but makes for a peaceful place to sleep!