The best date ideas for nature lovers

Take a trip to Singapore's countryside – Kranji – where Bollywood Veggies is. You can't miss the place with its cheeky green and yellow signs and lush plants. Upon entering take some time to follow the trail around the farm where you'll see various fruit trees, vegetables, an irrigation pond, and plenty of banana trees (of different sorts!). Remember to be mindful of where you're stepping, you might just chance upon frogs and ants crossing (there is a dedicated path for ants in the compound). When you're done walking around, cool down with some refreshing fig or lemongrass tea made from the produce in the farm. We'd also suggest getting a kueh platter for a treat – it comes with banana bread (made from the bananas on the farm), kueh kosui and kueh bingka. 

For the romance factor, take some time to sit by the beautiful lotus pond at the end of the trail for a pocket of peace. 

Strap on your best walking shoes and trudge through the mangrove swamps, ponds and the secondary forest of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to learn more about the flora and fauna that call this mangrove forest home. As your meander on the trails with your partner, take some rest stops (and privacy) in the observation hides, where you can have some quiet time while watching the many birds that stop over at the mudflats of Sungei Buloh. Other things to look out for: mudskippers, monkeys, climbing crabs, iridescent bugs and if you're lucky – crocs. 

While The Oval is bustling with the brunch crowd, next to it is the tranquil Hampstead Wetlands Park. Though just a small pocket of green in the somewhat industrial area, the former marshland area has seen been spruced up so that it looks like a lush English garden with a pond – complete with lily pads – now. How romantic. 

Though there are observatory decks and railings (so you don't fall over!), the area has retained its rustic element and is not as 'polished' as other parks. There is a short trail loop you can take with your boo which will take you through the forested area and by the waterside. You can easily explore the place under 30 minutes but keep the peace – it's a favourite haunt for birdwatchers in Singapore. 

If sweating it out in the hot sun is just not your thing, head to Gardens by the Bay for a walk in nature – and air-conditioning. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories make for a cooling tour of the world's flora. Stroll hand in hand among unusual plants native to habitats as far-flung as the South African savannahs and deserts in the Flower Dome, or revel in the fine spray of one of the world's tallest indoor waterfalls as you scale a lush mountain of flora in the Cloud Forest. When you're done, there's a ton of fine-dining and casual dining options you can explore in Gardens by the Bay or the nearby The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands to complete your romantic date. 

With only so much (or little) land in Singapore, secret spots that aren't crowded with people are hard to come by. But if you're in the mood for a picnic or frolic by the beach without the crowds, then you'll be glad to know that our island still has some quiet and secluded shores. Whether it's a pocket of sand on Coney Island or laidback shores at Seletar Fishing Village, we've got six hidden spots that you and your loved one can peacefully canoodle by. Just be prepared to travel a bit. 

There's nothing quite like the freedom that a bike gives. Especially now, when park connectors in Singapore are being steadily expanded to create a network across the island linking beautiful green spaces, heritage towns and other unique attractions. Whether you and your boo are total beginners or avid cyclists, we've got the best cycling trails that will take you on a scenic and adventurous day out on flat urban streetscapes to lush and hilly routes.

If you already share a home with your partner, why not invite some nature into it? Not only does it lend a pop of colour to the room, these magical living (and breathing) green things clear the air so you can breathe easy. Indoor plants have become quite the rage in recent times, and it's not difficult to find plant shops to pick up some beautiful air plants, ferns, cacti and more. Some shops even sell the flora along with gorgeous pots to add more character and quirkiness to your space. To get you started, here are the best plant shops in Singapore for indoor plants. 

Say what? Singapore has farms? The Little Red Dot is as famous for its agriculture industry as Jamaica is for bobsledding. But even though less than one percent of our land is dedicated to farming activities, there's an impressive variety of farms in Singapore. Farm hopping is a particularly great date activity for married couples who have kids in tow. Bring the little tots along to watch goats being milked or feed a variety of animals at The Animal Resort – whatever strikes your fancy, here are the best farms to visit in Singapore. 

Short of giving each other flowers, get some soft romance going by going on a tour of Singapore's beautiful flora instead.  There's not much to plan, just step out into the neighbourhood for a leisurely walk, or take a drive on the roads and highways while keeping your eyes peeled for the many gorgeous, flowering trees and shrubs that beautify our sidewalks, parks and forests. There are the distinctive pink and purple blooms of the bougainvillaea, the vibrant bursts of lantana and the elegant bouquets of frangipani. Feast your eyes and point out these beautiful blooms to each other as you go to brighten your day.  

Loving nature is not just about admiring or immersing in it. With climate change becoming ever more urgent, it's time to take some action and modify our consumption patterns. Sustainable dining is on the rise in Singapore, and knowing where your food comes from is a good start to get on the movement. For date night, opt to patronise the restaurants that are investing in dining with a conscience, and making an effort to source produce from local farms and eco-friendly organisations. Here are the best sustainable dining restaurants in Singapore to check out with your loved one.