Friday--Shopping
Stores in High Point fill up, especially on weekends, so don't linger in bed. The first stop, Boyles Distinctive Furniture, opens at 8:30 a.m; (336) 812-2200. Upon entering Boyles, you may get the impression that we've sent you to some fancy-schmancy place with high prices. Not so. The tickets on furniture from Baker, Bernhardt, Henkel-Harris, Henredon, Ralph Lauren, Southampton, and Thomasville are as much as 50% off retail. The guest book logged bargain hunters from as far away as Texas, Hawaii, Nigeria, and Thailand. We think that's due, in part, to the superior service. Thoughtful displays give ideas worth stealing, and the salespeople are attentive but not pushy.

After Boyles, ease across the parking lot to Ziba Oriental Rugs; (336) 812-2242. You may not need a handmade rug, but the 20,000 square feet of Persian splendor is sure to impress. Stacks of new, antique, contemporary, formal, casual, traditional, and funky area rugs await inspection. Any size, color, and price is available. Just ask.

For lunch, head to Marisol on High Point Road; (336) 852-3303. At night an appetizer costs $9 to $15, but during the day, the restaurant's kitchen churns out the same delicious food at half the cost. One of the more expensive items on the menu ($14) may also be the best: Knife & Fork Grilled Lobster Quesadilla stuffed with avocado, coriander salsa, and shaved red onions.

Ready for more shopping? Take the afternoon to head to tiny Thomasville, just 8 ½ miles from High Point. There you can visit the Thomasville factory outlet for displays, seconds, and overruns; (336) 476-2371. Also, don't miss downtown's quaint park bedecked by a giant chair.

Any remaining time you have left today should be spent relaxing. Play golf or tennis, get a massage, or check out the Furniture Discovery Center in High Point; (336) 887-3876. You need to rest up for tomorrow, which holds the big kahuna of furniture shopping.

Unwind with dinner at Giovanni's; (336) 852-8890. Though the atmosphere feels dated, the excellent staff and hearty fare more than make up for the Reagan-era decor. In fact, fans of authentic Italian food from the Valle d'Aosta region will be surprised to find this cuisine in the hills of North Carolina. The pastas are fresh, and the veal and chicken superb. A great dinner can be had, with a glass of wine, for less than $25 per person.