You may be groaning at the mere mention of the word road trip as you recall the frustration your little bundles of joy had to endure after running out of things to do during your last holiday.

A little planning goes a long way when touring the Garden Route.

Right, the house is secure, the pets are sorted and you and your lot are ready to make your way to Knysna. Sing-songs and discussions set the mood as you venture along the most scenic part of the Southern Coast.

Your first stop is in Albertinia. Founded in the early 1900s it is the centre of our Aloe production industry. The town’s most child-friendly accommodation is Zoutpan Struishuis Guest Farm. The farm has some good old-fashioned values to teach your brood. They’ll be humbled by the experience of milking cows or bottle-feeding some lambs. Not quite X-box but certainly a lot more real than Nintendo Wii. Hey, there’s even some Arabian horse-riding but just be sure they know what they’re doing...

It is impossible not to stop in at the cute coastal village and harbour of Mossel Bay. A popular holiday town, its sunbathed peninsula is surrounded by the refreshing waters of the Indian Ocean. African Oceans Manor on the Beach is bursting with family fun; swimming, fishing, surfing, shark cage viewing, boat trips, golf packages, whale watching, the list is endless and it’s all waiting for you in Mossel Bay.

Once you've reached George, you know you're final destination is calling. George lies in a rich valley, surrounded by the Outeniqua Mountains and forests. Unlike the other small towns, George is a bit more sophisticated. Stop in at the Fairview Historic Homestead. The salt water pool will keep the kids entertained, while dad can make good use of two of South Africa’s best golf courses, not forgetting some in-house theatrical delights for mom.

You can actually feel that you've entered Knysna, which means place of wood. But there's nothing wooden about the place. It's lauded as one of South Africa's best holiday locations and the best time to visit for some family fun is during the Knysna Oyster Festival in July. It often has over more than 70 sports and lifestyle events. Tonquani Lodge and Spa makes for great accommodation with loads of pampering on hand. And before you head for home a steam trip on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train between Knysna and George is a must.

Now that we've unpacked the Garden Route road trip for you, get your family together and start planning. Don't forget to send us your pics.