The trek bikes are generally pretty good. I rode one for quite a while and only gave it up because of some unfortunate damage to the frame.

Here is what has worked for me in the past:

Tires: I run 700x28's on a pretty regular basis, sometimes hauling substantial loads. Since you aren't going to be hauling a lot of weight the tire size will be more a matter of comfort. I find that 32's are a good compromise. Fairly comfortable but without the massive rolling weight that goes with larger tires.

Wheels: The number of spokes generally depends on how much weight they'll be supporting. I've run a well-built 32 spoke rear wheel while heavily loaded with no problems. If you find a bike you really like that has 32 spoke wheels, go with it.

Triples: Don't compromise on this one. Get a triple. Current wisdom is 48/38/28 for touring bikes. I'm using a 50/40/30 and I'm happy with it.

Frames: Get what is comfortable for you and don't accept anything less. If the bike is comfortable, you will have a much more enjoyable ride. If your LBS won't make adjustments to things like stem length to improve your comfort, find another LBS.

Saddles: At best, you won't notice a good, comfortable saddle. At worst, it will become the bane of your existence. If you have a saddle you really like, have your new bike fit with that saddle on it. If you don't have one, don't be afraid to experiment until you find one. There are other people on this forum who can offer better advice on saddle fit for women than I.

And as always, experiment to see what works for you.