Switching from flats to drops is not a trivial matter and you are probably wise to "drop" the idea.
This issues include:
Moving the cruising position (brake hoods) about 10cm/4" forward of the stem clamp. If you were comfortable cruising before, you will be over-extended on the brake hoods.
New shifters requires: need inline cable adjusters and may have incompatibilities with MTB mechs.
Possibly different stem diameter-> new stem.

Drop bars do not have an inherantly stretched out position. Many older tourists ride quite upright on drops and many cycle couriers and CX-style MTBers ride with their flats low and long.
There has been a recent trend for smaller diameter drops with more sophisticated curves (eg 3TTT ergonova) which are really good for leisure and tour riding.

For flatbar riders wishing to have more choice of hand positions, the first choice should probably be a trekking style bar. Bar ends tend to splay the hands out, locking elbows and catching air in the chest. Clip on aerobars have been used successfully by many MTB tourists and are worth considering.