Originally Posted by
Doug64
Another option-- switch plans completely, get a house/dog sitter, and take your wife on a bike tour of the Rhine Route in Europe. It would probably cost the same as some of the other options that were suggested. It is a route that would be very hard not to enjoy. Amenities are plentiful along the route, the terrain is relatively gentle, and at the end, or almost anywhere along the route, a train ride will get you back to the airport.
Having just done the Rhine Route a couple months ago ......... it was not easy to enjoy. Rowan and I were not impressed. It's not too bad in The Netherlands, and you might get a decent day of cycling around St Goar, but other than that, it was actually pretty bad.
I would not recommend taking someone there for a first tour ... it could very well be the last tour!
However, if the couple were to go to Europe for a cycling tour, I'd recommend the Velodyssey Trail on the west coast of France ... MUCH, MUCH better.