What's a good violin brand?

I'm thinking about signing up for violin class. My online girlfriend loves classical music and always wanted to date a musician so, I was thinking of learning the violin before we meet up for the first time in an upcoming international dating social event in a couple of months. I've already researched a few good music schools or local instructors who are willing to come over to my place for the lessons but the only problem is, I don't know squat about buying a violin myself. I could always ask the clerks at the music shop but I'm afraid they might sales-talk to me on getting the expensive but fragile one. I want something I can use and can withstand my noob playing for a few months and not break on me. Nothing grand but nothing too local is what I'm looking for. Musicians out here, please help me out.