For any neophyte cycletourists gleaning this thread, rest assured, the size of gear step one finds objectionable or satisfactory is very much a personal thing. There are cyclists happily riding single-speed, fixed gear and even penny-farthing bikes on tours. Three-speed hubs have adopted in the neighborhood of 33% gear steps for the last 100+ years with 100+ years of rider satisfaction. The touring we did on our bike boom ten-speeds (with their 24% gear steps and too-high range) 50 years ago was somehow so fun that here we are, still doing it today. Of course, not every touring partner from those days still tours, but not a single one of them quit because of gear-step size. But hey, if you want to outfit your touring bike with a 3x12, that's like really cool, too. Go for it. But don't put off cycletouring until you have a bike like that.

BTW, if anyone is reeeeeaaally sensitive to gear step size, I can heartily recommend the Enviolo Trekking hub gear. Riding and shifting one is absolutely sensuous.