The land of rolling hills, towering mountains and deep forests: this is the Western Drakensberg Region.

Every winter visitors are enticed to the white slopes and pristine beauty of South Africa's own little Switzerland.

It is then that Aliwal North comes alive with winter sport enthusiasts, and of course the natural hot water springs in town also play a major role in drawing people.

Towns like Queenstown were founded to establish a defensive stronghold as well as a route for provisions during the Anglo Boer War.

Today Queenstown is a place of harmony, surrounded by horse and hiking trails, spectacular flowering plants and panoramic views from the mountain summit.

A major artistic event that takes place every year, is the Queenstown Art Festival.