I've been looking and looking and waiting for the "perfect" travel camera for me. I just bought the newly released Panasonic FZ150, and I think it is definitely a keeper.

Great reviews on it from photo sites (quality supposed to match the G12), 25 to 600 (not that anyone actually needs that amount of zoom), fully articulated screen, has a viewfinder, really fast, takes excellent photos, seems comfortable to walk around with so I could easily carry it all day, around $450, and has gotten excellent reviews from users. Check it out.