By Jim Sulski

Once the weather turns balmy, Ryan’s love life improves — drastically.

During the warm weather months, Ryan, a software analyst in the Midwest, schedules most of his dates for outdoor endeavors — from dining al fresco to diving into the local lake. “There is something sensual and spiritual about being outdoors and embracing the day — or night,” Ryan says. “I’ve had my most memorable dates in the surf and under the stars.”

“Being outdoors and taking advantage of the warm weather makes me feel vibrant and vital,” says Leona, a current match to Ryan. “Especially considering the fact that most of the year we’re stuck indoors.”

Be it the sensuous sand and surf of the beach or the romantic powers of the moonlight beaming down to a rooftop, being outdoors on a date can produce some amazing results. Here are a few examples as to why open-air excursions are sexy:

The al fresco dinner
Whether dining at a sidewalk cafe or grilling on a rooftop deck, there’s nothing like an outdoor epicurean adventure. “Smells are more pronounced and food just tastes better when you’re eating outside,” says Audrey, 32, an outdoor dining fan. [$MSN.ARTICLE.CTALINKS$]Eating outdoors can be as simple as a picnic on a park bench to an elegant gourmet meal on a rooftop outdoor garden of a five-star restaurant. “What I especially like is cooking outdoors,” says Bill, Audrey’s current flame. “There’s something primitive yet amorous about preparing a meal for a woman over an open fire.”

The outdoor concert
For Ken and Emily, there is nothing more romantic than a blanket, a bottle of wine and live classical music or jazz under the stars. At least once a week, they head to the city park where outdoor music concerts take place each weekday night.

“Although it’s crowded, there are lots of opportunities for cuddling,” Emily says.

The city walk

Warm weather months are the perfect time to explore the streets and sidewalks outside your neighborhood. Plan for long walks from late afternoon until evening, with plenty of stops at open-air cafes, beer gardens, street markets and parks.

The beach
This is a no-brainer when it comes to a sexy outside date: there’s sand, sun, surf, skin and suntan lotion. “It’s totally sensual,” says Jane, 31, an advertising manager.

Jane had her boyfriend Brad, in fact, have established a fun little routine for their beach dates. “On Friday, we wear our bathing suits under our clothes to work,” she says. “Then we both leave work early, pack up a picnic lunch and head to the beach until the evening hours. In summer, we always keep a bag with beach towels, an umbrella and suntan lotion in the trunk.”

“The fun part is undressing in the car,” Brad says.