Unless you are a really fast rider, you will benefit from lowering the gears to 44-32-22. As the bike probably comes with an 11-30 or 11-32 cassette, you will still have a high of 108 gear-inches... more than racers had 20 years ago, and high enough to pedal at 45 km/h. But that proposal is good if you can have the bike shop swap parts for free or at a nominal cost. If you have to buy those parts at retail price, it makes no sense, especially for the type of riding you expect to do.

A cheaper option would be to simply replace the small chainring by a yet smaller one. Having ratios like 52-42-24 (or 26 -- take the smallest that fits) would give you lower gears.

Finally, when your cassette is due for replacement, I would suggest you visit http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/k7.html and look at the Cyclotouriste 13 and 14. These would give you the same low gears, but closer ratios at the top, for a more comfortable ride.

Regards,