Romantic HiFi Getaway Weekend?!?


Can anyone please recommend any interesting high end dealers located in or around nice places? My wife and I have struck an interesting deal where I can spend a weekend shopping for a new component or speakers as long as the dealer is located in or within reasonable driving distance from a peaceful and picturesque location. Any feedback on the types of lines carried by the dealers would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
stevesillerquea919
There is a Sound Labs dealer that owns a bed and breakfast in New Orleans offering a FREE WEEKEND if you audition the speakers. I believe he is located in the French Quarter, plus there are plenty of interesting, scenic and/or historic sites nearby or within easy daytrip. Plenty of fine dining, music, antique shops etc. in French Quarter to amuse the missus. This dealer has a classified ad in Stereophile. In better weather, Smoky Mountains/Blue Ridge is within easy drive of Knoxville, Ashville, or Atlanta, depending on which side of divide you park. There is also a high end dealer in Charleston SC who was very friendly when we dropped in 2 years ago, can't remember name, but Charleston and environs was wonderful. Have fun wherever you go.
If you choose the San Francisco area, I think you and your wife would be amazed at the wine country, north of SF. I just completed a photo assignment there, and although San Francisco is a world class city, it is BIG and VERY busy. Wine country is like a trip to paradise. Beautiful countryside, winding roads, leading to some of the best wine makers, (who offer free tastings). Very romantic, and a short drive back to SF to listen to some music, in a relaxed mood.
Some SWMBO point-making activities in Bay Area:
1) Buy her a couple hours at one of the spas there - that way you can go out looking at stereos.
2) Go to the wine country as suggested above. Northern coastline is nice too.
3) A really nice breakfast is Sunday Brunch at the Top Of the Mark - the view in amazing.
4) For great Italian food, go to Francesco's in Little Italy. Francesco sings for his customers!
5) A nice though slightly grungy, laid back, late night jazz cafe is the Ace Cafe in Soma (south of market).
6) A great blues bar (a little grungy) is the Blue Room on Geary.

It's been 6 years since I lived in SF, so some of these places might have changed.