What's love got to do with Valentine's Day?One historical account tells the story of a man named Valentinus, who died on February 14 in the 3rd century A.D., beheaded for helping couples wed. Throughout history, there have been around a dozen Saint Valentines. And saints usually had a job to do; people would call on them to watch over the lives of their lovers, but there were also interventions for beekeeping, plagues, epilepsy, fainting and travel. But Medieval English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, may have been the one to link our modern-day romantic celebrations with February 14. In 1375, he wrote a poem
Parliament of Foules - "
For this was sent on St. Valentine's Day/When every fowl cometh there to choose her mate". It received widespread attention and a feast day was declared.
But it needn't be all about fine dining, expensive restaurants and force-fed red roses. The excitement of love and romance is getting to know each other, discovering common interests, sharing fun things to do and learning each other's favourite things. So what about a day-date? It is Valentine's Day after all. Even if you're single, some of the following suggestions are also great places to meet a prospective new beau:
WATER-LOVERS: Grab your cossie, wetsuit and smear some sunscreen on that face and back you've been admiring.
1. Go kayaking/canoeing - share a double-seater and find out if your partner is willing the share the workload. For more info click
here.
2. Go fishing - cast out a lure and see what you can catch... in lakes, rivers or join a deep-sea tour group. For more info click
here.
3. Go snorkelling - no need to come up with lively small-talk when you're masked up and underwater exploring the unique environment of the ocean. For more info click
here.
4. Stand-up paddle-boarding - no equipment needed if you click
here, just a good sense of humour and you'll soon find out which one of you is the most balanced.
5. Go sailing - enjoy the delights of scooting around the harbour on a skiff. With the wind at your back, you'll find out if your partner has yours. Click
here.
6. Go surfing - somewhere between Bondi and Byron will be a wave that suits you; before you know it, you'll be that super-cool couple driving a Kombi. Click
here.
7. Do your Bronze Medallion certificate - okay, it sounds like work, but learning mouth-to-mouth and CPR is pretty intimate and may just save a life one day. Click
here.
LAND-LOVERS: If water is not your thing, try these:
8. Horse-riding - picture yourself riding off into the sunset together? There's sedate Centennial Park, or go a little further afield and click
here.
9. Tennis - grab a racquet and you'll soon discover who has the competitive streak. Click
here.
10. Bowling - there's 10-pin indoor or barefoot outdoor. Take a few friends along and this group will soon be a party date. Click
here for indoor or
here for outdoor.
11. Cycling - Joining a tourist-type tour is great fun and a way to meet others. With all that lycra, there'll be more than mere fitness on display. Don't own a bike? Click
here.
12. Hiking - walk along the beach, through the bush, join a club, or do parts of the stunning Bicentennial
Coastal Walk.
13. Gym workouts - get your pulse racing together at any personal training studio. Click
here.
14. Dance classes - ballroom, ballet or rap; you don't need to take a partner, but you might find one. Click
here.
15.......A-Thon - love helping others? do something for charity - run, swim, or fundraise and you might just find your kindred heart. Click
here.
16. Golf - it may be a hit-and-giggle type round, but riding 18 holes in a small buggy together is a 'hole' lot of fun. For a course with a fantastic view, click
here.
IN THE AIR: Get high, and high on love with these adrenalin hits.
17. Sky-diving - testing your capacity to just close your eyes and trust is great for any relationship... click
here.
18. Paragliding - strapped together in a tandem... leaping off a cliff together.... surely that's love.... click
here.
19. Hot-air ballooning - a sunrise flight under a big colourful balloon is sure to attract cupid's arrow. Click
here.
20. Circus training - juggling balls, tumbling over mats and hanging from high wires sounds like good relationship-training. Click
here.
21. Aerial yoga - stretching, breathing, and opening your chakras is sure to attract exactly the type of love you're looking for. Click
here.
22. Zip-line - get dizzy with excitement and scream until your heart's content on these
tree-top adventures.
For the less-physical: Ease into your new romance with lazy days.
Fantasea Facebook page
- schmooze and
cruise some special waterways around Sydney.
24. Go whale-watching, bird-watching or to the zoo - whether it's
conservation or
adopting a fur-baby, animals unite lovers.
25. Go to a gallery or exhibition - share your
imagination with another creative mind.
26. Take a class -
art, singing, photography or cooking helps you discover things close to your cupid's heart.
27. Go to a game - soccer,
basketball, cricket - cheer together or take opposing sides - you don't have to play it to have fun together.
28. Karaoke or trivia nights - okay, it's probably going to be a night date, but oh so important to find your voice in any new relationship. Belt out a
few tunes together.
29. Do a day-trip - from Sydney, the central coast, south coast or Blue Mountains are all do-able
in a day. Will he ask for directions? Will you be a back-seat driver? You'll soon discover your compatibility when you're locked in a car together for a few hours.
30. Have a picnic - my favourite thing to do... grab a picnic blanket... pack a goodies bag... find a shady
piece of green and just chill. Who knows, you might just fall in love.
