The best touring bike can be had for a good price if you shop around. The bike I recommend is the old Schwinn Voyageur. The version with the cantilever brakes is best. The Voyageur is an extremely well made bike with a wonderful lugged steel frame, and a supple ride. It has just the right geometry, and can be modified to work with just about any type of driveline.

The chrome framed versions are the ones to look for, as they resist scratches and chips, as well as rust and corrosion. I had one of these some years ago before it was stolen, and I still miss it very much. Voyageurs are easy enough to find in America, but here in Japan they are worth their weight in gold.