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.