no one has bothered to ask... what does your LBS(s) carry?
also what kind of budget are you looking at?
it realy sounds like you are looking for a touring bike... on the road drop bars are nice... flat bars don't give you much in the way of hand positions... and when you are on the bike for long distances you want options...
as for steel vs alu... I prefer steel... but honestly your saddle choice makes MUCH more of a difference then your choice of material will...