Touring - Total newbie

Hello,
Nice forum you've got here! I am posting on a whim really, so please forgive my ignorance.
I haven't owned a bicycle for about 10 years, but over the last few years have rented them when I've been on holiday, and been out sight seeing for the day.
I took the better half to France last weekend and we cycled around a little island. She loved it, and subsequently has got her old bike out, to get it fixed up.
So, it seems I'm going to need my own bike, if I'm to see her much this summer!
The bikes I've hired in France, Holland, and alike have always seemed quite different, and superior, to the mountain bikes my friends own. The main things I liked where the fact I could sit upright, and look around. They had seats I actually wanted to sit on, and the bikes seem to almost run themselves when on flat ground. Very little effort, for a lot of motion. I suppose efficiency it what costs the money though?
Can you recommend me a budget bicycle that can handle panniers for weekend outings, mainly on bike trails / back roads? Money is a big issue, so I will try to get it second hand, probably from ebay.
Thank you for your time!

Upright, panniers, budget??

Used for sure and check out...

older Trek's like the 520 and 600 series from the 80's.

Other names to look for are Dawes, Orbit...

are you in the States? That'll have some bearing on things as well.

I think that what you need is a hybrid bike/
You didn't mention your budget.
reasonable hybrids range 300$-500$,
600-900$ will get you a good hybrid, and
1000$+ will get you a very good hybrid.
There are so many brands and they are all good,
check at your LBS.

I have a Bianchi Volpe. They call it a hybrid because it has 700x32mm tires. It has attachment points for racks, panners, and fenders. I think is was ~$800 at my LBS. It came with an 11-32 9 gear cassette I had them put on an 11-34 9 gear for long steep hills. I also had them put on an adjustable stem so I could sit up right and pedals that are clipless on one side and platform on the other - I wasn't sure I'd like the clipless. I do like the clipless, but some times I just feel lie jumping on the bike with work boots or whatever on and this way I can do it.

Joe

Maybe a Bianchi Bergamo or Boardwalk. Bergamo is more expensive but it comes with fenders and a rack. If you can spend a little more and want drop bars, Bianchi's Volpe is a good deal. Also check out Fuji's touring bike. The last time I checked, it was spec'ed very similar to a Volpe at a slightly better price.

What would be really cool would be a European trekking bike with moustache bars or trekking bars. More upright than drops, more hand positions than flats. Unfortunately, that's more of a specialty item and would be hard to find under a kilobuck.

Thankyou everyone.
I am in the UK, what difference will that make?
I will check out the bikes you mentioned and see what looks good!
Thanks again :)

You can get continental style "touring" bikes in the UK, Giant is the main brand, but
also Flanders and a couple of others. Uk style touring bikes are lighter, sportier, and stronger. The classic model is the Dawes Galaxy, but Thorn and Orbit make them as well.