The dating dead zone that is winter is nearly over! Finally, we can all shed the itchy wool sweaters and get ready for some dating and long-awaited spring romance.
Now that spring is here, and the snow is no longer piled up outside your door, head out and meet new people at bars, singles events or speed dating.
As the first encounter turns in to a date, take advantage of the sunshine.
A walk in the park can be a little too clichéd, so get inspired and have fun.
Here are some options that you'll enjoy - and you'll impress your date with your creativity...
Take a yoga class.
Rather than taking a standard exercise class at the gym - where it could become a competitive iron-pumping contest between the two of you - yoga is a good way to show your interest in wellness and get in sync with your date: "My perfect spring date would be a weekend morning yoga class, a healthy breakfast with good coffee and a walk along the waterfront," says Paul Hevenor, an advertising manager who lives in Toronto.
(PS: If yoga class isn't your thing, try another interesting class, like sushi-making or architecture - your local university should have plenty of listings for weekend classes in their adult-education division.
) Bike it.
You could walk through the park, but it's more interesting to ride your bike, the scenery changes that much faster! Put a little planning into the route, with a lunch at the midpoint.
Jon Casmen, a real-estate professional who lives in Vancouver, explains how he does it: "I like taking a date bike riding through Stanley Park.
We'd relax in the gardens and have a picnic lunch.
Then, after a nice conversation lying in the grass, we pedal back.
" That combination of exercise and talk time is a nice change for couples just getting to know one another.
Go antiquing.
If you're the type to incorporate a little walking around and shopping into a date, avoid the malls and hit the antique stores instead.
It's more substantial and special.
Blake Strong, a purchaser at a luxury hotel in Toronto, enjoys going antiquing with his partner of 11 years, and explains how couples that have just met can do this: "Go antiquing for an afternoon and then enjoy dinner at a sidewalk café.
It's so romantic after a day of treasure-hunting to unwind with each other over a bottle of wine, a beautiful dinner, and people-watching.
" Feel like that's too tall an order for a first or second date? Ramp it down a bit, and invite the object of your affection out to brunch and a quick spin through a nearby flea market.
As you visit each stall, you'll discover each other's taste-and have a fun time pointing out the most kitschy and bizarre finds that are for sale.
Be a tourist in your own town.
This one works especially well if the person you're dating lives in a different town or neighborhood.
You may not think twice about that little duck pond in the park down the road or the seafood shacks at the harbor in your town, but these are great date destinations.
Please, don't drive to a dull mall for a dinner out.
Take advantage of anything fun and outdoorsy right in your own backyard...
Speaking of which, if you do have a backyard with a couple of comfy chairs, that's a great place for a BBQ date too! Get a couple's massage.
Have you been dating for a while and are ready to heat things up a notch? There are few things as simultaneously relaxing and romantic as a couple's massage and a spa treatment.
Some spas even offer outdoor massages-great for a spring afternoon or evening.
Now that spring is here, and the snow is no longer piled up outside your door, head out and meet new people at bars, singles events or speed dating.
As the first encounter turns in to a date, take advantage of the sunshine.
A walk in the park can be a little too clichéd, so get inspired and have fun.
Here are some options that you'll enjoy - and you'll impress your date with your creativity...
Take a yoga class.
Rather than taking a standard exercise class at the gym - where it could become a competitive iron-pumping contest between the two of you - yoga is a good way to show your interest in wellness and get in sync with your date: "My perfect spring date would be a weekend morning yoga class, a healthy breakfast with good coffee and a walk along the waterfront," says Paul Hevenor, an advertising manager who lives in Toronto.
(PS: If yoga class isn't your thing, try another interesting class, like sushi-making or architecture - your local university should have plenty of listings for weekend classes in their adult-education division.
) Bike it.
You could walk through the park, but it's more interesting to ride your bike, the scenery changes that much faster! Put a little planning into the route, with a lunch at the midpoint.
Jon Casmen, a real-estate professional who lives in Vancouver, explains how he does it: "I like taking a date bike riding through Stanley Park.
We'd relax in the gardens and have a picnic lunch.
Then, after a nice conversation lying in the grass, we pedal back.
" That combination of exercise and talk time is a nice change for couples just getting to know one another.
Go antiquing.
If you're the type to incorporate a little walking around and shopping into a date, avoid the malls and hit the antique stores instead.
It's more substantial and special.
Blake Strong, a purchaser at a luxury hotel in Toronto, enjoys going antiquing with his partner of 11 years, and explains how couples that have just met can do this: "Go antiquing for an afternoon and then enjoy dinner at a sidewalk café.
It's so romantic after a day of treasure-hunting to unwind with each other over a bottle of wine, a beautiful dinner, and people-watching.
" Feel like that's too tall an order for a first or second date? Ramp it down a bit, and invite the object of your affection out to brunch and a quick spin through a nearby flea market.
As you visit each stall, you'll discover each other's taste-and have a fun time pointing out the most kitschy and bizarre finds that are for sale.
Be a tourist in your own town.
This one works especially well if the person you're dating lives in a different town or neighborhood.
You may not think twice about that little duck pond in the park down the road or the seafood shacks at the harbor in your town, but these are great date destinations.
Please, don't drive to a dull mall for a dinner out.
Take advantage of anything fun and outdoorsy right in your own backyard...
Speaking of which, if you do have a backyard with a couple of comfy chairs, that's a great place for a BBQ date too! Get a couple's massage.
Have you been dating for a while and are ready to heat things up a notch? There are few things as simultaneously relaxing and romantic as a couple's massage and a spa treatment.
Some spas even offer outdoor massages-great for a spring afternoon or evening.