This blog post, announcing that our final planned cycling tour of 2026 to South Africa has sold out, is also an opportunity to talk about the changes we’ve embraced at Magic Places Cycling Adventures.
But first, a bit about this particular destination. South Africa is one of our faves, and a destination we’ve been visiting for decades. We’ve written a lot about South Africa, and so it’s fitting that we wrap up a year of change to Magic Places business model with a visit to a place that remains unchanged as one of the world’s premier cycling destinations. While this adventure has sold out, we are compiling a wait list for those interested, simply reach out to Matt.
In 2024-25 we noted the need for a better life-work balance and have been working on a solution ever since. For 2027, we have found that balance by offering less frequent and smaller planned adventures to destinations less visited, less crowded, and awaiting exploration: Japan, Norway and Patagonia.
Japan is a dream destination for cycle touring because it blends modern efficiency with deep cultural tradition in a way that feels uniquely accessible by bicycle. Quiet rural roads wind through rice paddies, coastal fishing villages, and forested mountain passes, while the country’s exceptional infrastructure makes long-distance touring remarkably smooth and safe. Cyclists can move effortlessly between bustling cities and tranquil countryside, stopping at ancient temples, hot springs, and family-run inns along the way. The changing seasons add another layer of beauty, from spring cherry blossoms to fiery autumn landscapes, making every ride feel immersive and constantly evolving.
Norway offers one of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring environments for bicycle exploration, where towering fjords, glacier-carved valleys, and winding coastal roads create unforgettable riding experiences. The country’s low traffic volumes and strong outdoor culture make it especially welcoming to touring cyclists seeking both solitude and adventure. Riders can pedal beneath midnight sun in the summer, camp beside pristine lakes, and climb scenic mountain roads that reveal sweeping panoramic views at every turn. Norway’s combination of rugged wilderness and carefully maintained infrastructure allows cyclists to experience remote natural beauty while still enjoying reliable services and comfortable places to rest.
Patagonia is ideal for cycle touring because it delivers a sense of freedom and raw adventure that few places on Earth can match. Stretching across southern Argentina and Chile, the region is defined by vast open landscapes, powerful winds, snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and endless gravel roads that seem to disappear into the horizon. Touring by bicycle allows travelers to experience Patagonia’s immense scale at a deeply personal pace, connecting intimately with its untamed environment and isolated communities. The unpredictability of the weather and the remoteness of the terrain make every journey feel like a true expedition, rewarding cyclists with extraordinary scenery and a profound sense of accomplishment.
Besides three planned exotic adventures for 2027, Magic Places will focus on planning, organizing and hosting client-requested custom tours to all of our familiar destinations world-wide. If you and your family or group of friends wants to experience any of our 20+ destinations in luxury on two wheels, let’s start planning. For our custom tours, we confer with you to get to know exactly what you want in an exciting cycle touring vacation, and then while you dream we get to work handling the logistics. With deep connections to businesses in each of our custom cycle tour destinations, we will ensure your experiences are as amazing as your chosen destination. Reach out to Matt today to begin making your cycle touring dreams a reality for 2027.
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“The only constant in life is change” (Heraclitus)
Change is often framed as an active choice to improve life and a necessary step to overcome limitations, often requiring a shift in perspective or attitude. Quotes from figures like Heraclitus reinforce that change is an inevitable, continuous, and often difficult process leading to growth. Changes in this past year at Magic Places Cycling Adventures have paved the way for our growth. In our case, growth is defined as “finding a perfect balance between work and life”. And now with a new approach to planned and custom cycle tours for 2027, we are beginning to feel the equilibrium we’ve been inching towards.
