Welcome to Summer Plans 2026!

 

Welcome to Summer Plans 2026! ☀️

Whether you’re looking to escape to a tranquil tropical island, dive into immersive cultural experiences,

or give back to the community closer to home, this season is packed with incredible ways to reset and recharge.

From the serene beaches of Thailand and Vietnam to the vibrant, winter-chic streets of Melbourne,

we’ve rounded up the ultimate lineup of travel, dining, and lifestyle highlights to inspire your upcoming itineraries.

What’s in This Issue:

• Island Escapes: Discover exclusive seasonal benefits at The Retreat Koh Chang and

• mindful wellness rituals at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai.

• Luxury Remixes: Check out the ultimate land-and-sea stay at W Maldives or take

• a nostalgic skyline ride with the Pokémon Day-to-Night Adventure via the Singapore Cable Car.

• Dining with a Heart: Support a wonderful local cause at the

• Jack's Place x The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund Raising Dinner—a special

• charity buffet dinner dedicated to helping children and youth from low-income families.

• Winter Luxury: Heading south for the season? Explore Sofitel Melbourne On Collins’ premium

• winter arts and theatre packages.

Pour yourself an iced latte, browse our curated links below, and let’s start planning your next great adventure!

Thoughts of the day? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line anytime at contact@oliveandlatte.com.

Summer Plans  View this email in your browser Summer Plans www.oliveandlatteabs.com globeshop (Affordable Luxe): www.dashinglyverygoodlivingVGD.com or https://engagevu.com https://dashinglyverygoodlivingvgd.myshopify.com Packages https://www.dashinglyverygoodliving.com Gifts https://oliveandlatte.com http://oliveandlatte.myshopify.com freelancer gig https://www.fiverr.com/trinawu youtube https://www.youtube.com/vusharon spotify playlist  link to click   websites  http://oliveandlattehomelounge.com http://engageformoments.com websites https://oliveandlattefamily.wordpress.com/ https://sites.google.com/oliveandlatte.com/oliveandlatte websites https://epercollab.com https://oliveandlatte.odoo.com https://epercollab2.odoo.com https://engagevu1.odoo.com https://engagevusg.com    THE RETREAT KOH CHANG UNVEILS 'ISLAND GETAWAY' SUMMER ESCAPE OFFER Experience Oceanfront Serenity, Untouched Nature and Island Adventures with Exclusive Seasonal Benefits until 15th October 2026. The Retreat Koh Chang has launched a limited-time summer promotion titled “Island Getaway – Stay Longer For More,” offering travellers an opportunity to enjoy an extended tropical escape on one of Thailand’s most peaceful islands. Available until 15 October 2026, the package includes up to 10% off the best available room rates, with prices starting from THB 5,760++ per night for two guests. The offer also provides THB 1,000 nightly credit that can be used for dining, spa treatments or laundry services, complimentary transfers from Pineapple Bay Pier, possible room upgrades depending on availability, a 30% discount on additional spa treatments, and 15% savings on food and beverages excluding alcohol. Located on the tranquil island of Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand, the resort is surrounded by rainforest-covered hills, quiet beaches and clear ocean waters. Designed as a peaceful beachfront sanctuary, the retreat caters to couples, wellness travellers and visitors seeking a more authentic and relaxed island experience away from crowded tourist destinations. Guests can enjoy ocean-view accommodations, kayaking, snorkeling, island-hopping trips and visits to waterfalls, fishing villages and jungle trails. Koh Chang itself is known for its natural beauty, marine life and laid-back atmosphere, making it one of Thailand’s lesser-known island destinations. The resort also focuses on wellness and relaxation through spa experiences, locally inspired cuisine and traditional Thai hospitality, creating an intimate environment where visitors can reconnect with nature and enjoy a slower pace of life. For reservations and more information, please visit The Retreat Koh Chang. https://theretreatkohchang.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Jack’s Place Dedicates 60th Anniversary Charity Dinner to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund  Popular homegrown steakhouse chain Jack's Place has announced a charitable collaboration with The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund in celebration of its milestone 60th anniversary. Managed by parent company JP Pepperdine Group, Jack's Place will host a fundraising dinner on Friday, 31 July 2026, at its Bras Basah Complex outlet, aiming to raise $10,000 to support children and youth from low-income families. Tickets for the event are priced at $100 nett per person. In line with the restaurant's anniversary commitment to giving back to the local community, 100% of the ticket proceeds will go directly to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. Each ticket grants admission to a buffet dinner, which includes complimentary beer and wine. To accommodate a larger number of supporters and community donors, Jack's Place will conduct the fundraising dinner across two seatings: First Seating: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Second Seating: 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm Event Details and Registration   Details Official Title Jack's Place x The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund Raising Dinner Date Friday, 31 July 2026 Venue Jack's Place, Bras Basah Complex, #01-01 Financial Contribution $100 nett per person (100% of proceeds allocated to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund) Inclusions Buffet dinner with complimentary beer and wine selection Registration Link https://www.jacksplace.com.sg/jp60-st-pocket-fund/ Cheque Presentation and Beneficiary Appreciation Following the fundraiser, a second event is scheduled for Friday, 7 August 2026, at the Jack's Place Toa Payoh outlet. This private session will be held exclusively for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund beneficiaries and their families. During this appreciation event, Jack's Place will formally present the $10,000 fundraising check to the leadership of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. Members of the public who wish to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Jack's Place while supporting a meaningful cause can purchase tickets via the official website. https://www.jacksplace.com.sg/jp60-st-pocket-fund/ https://www.jacksplace.com.sg Celebrating a 60-Year Journey What began in 1966 with Mr. Say Lip Hai at a humble pub on Killiney Road has grown into a national legacy. For 60 years, Jack's Place has been a trusted destination for celebrations, milestones, and everyday dining moments shared across generations. Today, Jack's Place marks its 60-year milestone, extending heartfelt gratitude to its loyal patrons who have been an integral part of its journey. Join the Celebration. #JP60 #JacksPlaceSG #JPPepperdine  For more information, visit www.jacksplace.com.sg. Website: www.jacksplace.com.sg Facebook: www.facebook.com/jacks.place.restaurant Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacksplacesg Official hashtag: #jacksplacesg About Jack's Place Established in 1966, Jack's Place is the trusted favourite known for its Western food. It all started when Mr. Say Lip Hai arrived in Singapore from Hainan Island and started as a cook boy with the British troops in Sembawang. There he learned how to prepare the perfect roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Having tasted one of Mr Say's now famous meals, a British housewife suggested he start a catering business with her husband, Jack Hunt, in his pub at Killiney Road, Jack's Place, which he started in 1966. Mr Say agreed and commenced that partnership in 1968. Shortly afterwards, Jack Hunt sold his share of the business, but his namesake 'Jack the Chef' still runs the kitchen today! Today, Jack's Place is the trusted favourite for family and friends to enjoy great value sizzling steaks, speciality meals, and sumptuous cakes. Jack's Place is committed to serving quality food and creating memorable dining experiences in a cheerful and cosy environment for our guests. For more information, visit www.jacksplace.com.sg. About JP Pepperdine JP Pepperdine is a group of restaurants that started with the popular Jack's Place Steakhouse in 1966, followed by Eatzi Gourmet divisions (Steakhouse, bakery, and catering) and Yeh Ting. What inspires JP Pepperdine is to create a unique experience for their guests. Interestingly, it is a lesson that they take from the kitchen itself. Drawing on the admirable qualities of pepper, JP Pepperdine aspires to spice up the dining experience in all ways, big and small. In big ways, JP Pepperdine will be adventurous, sizzling up the F&B scene with fresh concepts and food creations. In small ways, JP Pepperdine dedicates itself to delighting its patrons through its food, service, and ambience, so they are now the JP Pepperdine Group, named after that extraordinary spice itself. In all that JP Pepperdine does, quality and value will always be their benchmarks. They hope that the guests take home with them a lingering fondness and the knowledge that for the price they pay, they have much more in return. For more information, visit www.jppepperdine.com. The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) was started in 2000 as a community project initiated by The Straits Times that provides pocket money to children from low-income families to help them through school. Since the project inception in 2000, STSPMF has helped more than 230,000 cases of children and youths in need and disbursed more than $110m. They come from families whose per capita gross monthly household income is not more than $1000. Funds raised go towards school pocket money disbursements and support of the social and educational development of the children and youths.  A primary school pupil receives $65 a month, while a secondary school pupil receives $100 a month. Students from ITE, Junior Colleges and Polytechnics receive $125 a month. STSPMF was established as a Trust on 20 October 2010 and received charity status on 14 November 2011 with Institution of A Public Character (IPC) status effective from 1 January 2012. It is governed by a Board of Trustees.  It was awarded the Charity Transparency Award 2022 for the fund's good transparency and governance standards. For more information, please visit www.spmf.org.sg Jack’s Place Celebrates 60 Years of Heritage with "Classic Favourites" As Jack's Place enters the next phase of its 60th anniversary, the home-grown steakhouse is shifting its focus toward celebrating heritage and showcasing classic flavours throughout May and June 2026. Following the success of the March-April "Surf & Turf Classics" promotion menu, the restaurant is set to celebrate its "Classic Favourites" in the May-June promotion menu, alongside a community-driven "Memorabilia Night" taking place on Tuesday nights at selected outlets. Refining the Experience: May/June Classic Favourites Promotion Menu Diners can also revisit the Jack's Special Steak ($34), a house tenderloin classic since 1966, the Tender eye fillet is topped with white asparagus & black mushroom sauce, to Jack's Seafood Marinara (Spaghetti with tiger prawn, squid and fish tossed in rich homemade tomato sauce),  tender Oven Baked Salmon (served with citrus thyme sauce) or try out the N.Z Flank Steak. Be sure to order the succulent oven-roasted Jack's Spring Chicken served with signature sambal sauce. Indulge in classic appetisers such as the Prawn and Mango Delight and Escargots In Shell with Garlic Butter, with the Dessert of the Month being the Homemade Bread Pudding. There's a special Make it your Own! Section, where diners can get to choose any of the delicious sides and sauces to create the perfect match for their main courses. Mix, match and enjoy just the way they like, because great taste is all about choice. Sides option includes the Signature Baked Potato, BBQ Corn on cob, Mashed potato, French Fries, Mesclun salad etc while the Sauces option includes the Signature Brown Sauce, Sambal Sauce and Black Pepper Sauce. Enjoy seasonal refreshments like the Red Apple Cooler with kanten pearls (plant-based jelly pearls) to the Wine of the Month, selected Zonin Italy wines. Featured guest Yunita, Mrs Singapore International 2025, notes that the brand's enduring appeal lies in its consistent flavors and the sense of nostalgia it provides to returning guests. For more information on the Diamond Jubilee celebrations or to make a reservation, please visit www.jacksplace.com.sg. Join the Celebration. #JP60 #JacksPlaceSG #JPPepperdine Also available for diners at Eatzi Gourmet Steakhouse & Bistro, the Halal-certified sibling restaurant of Jack's Place - located at SAFRA Yishun. For more information, visit www.jacksplace.com.sg. Website: www.jacksplace.com.sg Facebook: www.facebook.com/jacks.place.restaurant Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacksplacesg Official hashtag: #jacksplacesg About Jack's Place Established in 1966, Jack's Place is the trusted favourite known for its Western food. It all started when Mr. Say Lip Hai arrived in Singapore from Hainan Island and started as a cook boy with the British troops in Sembawang. There he learned how to prepare the perfect roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Having tasted one of Mr Say's now famous meals, a British housewife suggested he start a catering business with her husband, Jack Hunt, in his pub at Killiney Road, Jack's Place, which he started in 1966. Mr Say agreed and commenced that partnership in 1968. Shortly afterwards, Jack Hunt sold his share of the business, but his namesake 'Jack the Chef' still runs the kitchen today! Today, Jack's Place is the trusted favourite for family and friends to enjoy great value sizzling steaks, speciality meals, and sumptuous cakes. Jack's Place is committed to serving quality food and creating memorable dining experiences in a cheerful and cosy environment for our guests. For more information, visit www.jacksplace.com.sg. About JP Pepperdine JP Pepperdine is a group of restaurants that started with the popular Jack's Place Steakhouse in 1966, followed by Eatzi Gourmet divisions (Steakhouse, bakery, and catering) and Yeh Ting. What inspires JP Pepperdine is to create a unique experience for their guests. Interestingly, it is a lesson that they take from the kitchen itself. Drawing on the admirable qualities of pepper, JP Pepperdine aspires to spice up the dining experience in all ways, big and small. In big ways, JP Pepperdine will be adventurous, sizzling up the F&B scene with fresh concepts and food creations. In small ways, JP Pepperdine dedicates itself to delighting its patrons through its food, service, and ambience, so they are now the JP Pepperdine Group, named after that extraordinary spice itself. In all that JP Pepperdine does, quality and value will always be their benchmarks. They hope that the guests take home with them a lingering fondness and the knowledge that for the price they pay, they have much more in return. For more information, visit www.jppepperdine.com. Sofitel Melbourne On Collins Unveils a Season of Luxury Winter Escapes in the Paris end of Collins Street   Sofitel Melbourne On Collins is celebrating Melbourne’s winter cultural season with a range of luxury experiences designed around the city’s thriving arts, theatre and entertainment scene. Located in Melbourne’s cultural precinct, the five-star hotel gives guests easy access to theatres, galleries, designer shopping and fine dining while offering curated experiences that combine culture, relaxation and luxury hospitality. One highlight is the “Cultural Getaway” package created in partnership with ACMI, Australia’s national museum of screen culture. The offer includes accommodation, breakfast and tickets to “The Vinyl Factory: Reverb,” a multi-sensory exhibition running until 31 August 2026 that explores the influence of vinyl and sound culture on art, fashion and society. The hotel is also promoting special theatre experiences linked to the return of SIX the Musical from 24 July 2026. Guests can enjoy luxury accommodation together with pre-theatre dining at the hotel’s No35 Restaurant before attending the internationally acclaimed musical inspired by the six wives of Henry VIII. Another featured package, “Balloon and Bliss,” is offered in partnership with Picture This Ballooning and includes a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Melbourne followed by a stay in a Superior King Room with breakfast and welcome amenities. Housed in a landmark building designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei, the hotel features 363 luxury rooms and suites, premium dining venues and sophisticated event spaces. Positioned at the prestigious Paris end of Collins Street, Sofitel Melbourne On Collins continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Melbourne’s leading “Hotels for the Arts,” offering visitors an immersive and elegant way to experience the city’s cultural attractions during winter. Sofitel Melbourne on Collins | 5-Star Luxury Hotel & Event Venue https://sofitel.accor.com/en/hotels/1902.html   From Kanto to Paldea: The Journey Continues in the Pokémon Day-to-Night Adventure Presented by Singapore Cable Car Pokémon Day-to-Night Adventure is returning to the Singapore Cable Car with an expanded experience featuring nine new Pokémon-themed cabins on the Mount Faber Line. Running from 30 May 2026 to 21 January 2027, the attraction connects Mount Faber Peak and Sentosa while offering fans an immersive journey inspired by Pokémon starter characters from across different game generations. The updated experience introduces cabins themed around nine Pokémon regions, featuring starter Pokémon including Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly. Each region has only two dedicated cabins, fully decorated with themed interiors, seats and educational Pokémon facts. At night, guests can use UV torches inside the cabins to reveal hidden Pokémon evolutions and glowing designs, creating a different experience after dark. The original themed cabins introduced in 2025 will also continue operating, showcasing fan favourites such as Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Gengar and Eevee. Additional hidden flying-type Pokémon including Dragonite and Charizard appear under UV light, while a rare hidden appearance by Mew adds an extra challenge for visitors. Guests will also receive collectible Poké Ball-themed silhouette cards featuring Pokémon such as Lapras, Snorlax and Ditto, designed for creative skyline photography during the cable car ride. Tickets are priced at S$33 for adults and S$22 for children aged 4–12, while unlimited one-day Cable Car SkyPass tickets cost S$45 for adults and S$35 for children. Children under three ride free. For more information, please visit www.mountfaberleisure.com/attraction/singapore-cable-car or follow MFLG on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.   W Maldives Introduces Escape Remix, Where Two Iconic Villa Experiences Meet W Maldives has introduced “Escape Remix,” a new luxury stay experience designed for travellers who want to enjoy both overwater and beachfront living during a single Maldives holiday. Launching from June 2026 as a permanent offering, the package combines two nights in a Superior Overwater One-Bedroom Villa with two nights in an Escape Beach One-Bedroom Villa, allowing guests to experience different sides of island life without changing resorts. The experience includes daily buffet breakfast for two adults and a variety of premium inclusions aimed at enhancing the island stay. Guests can enjoy complimentary soft drinks from the in-room MixBar, free snorkeling equipment, non-motorized water sports and a complimentary 30-minute professional photoshoot with one printed photo as a keepsake. The Superior Overwater Villa offers panoramic ocean views, a private pool, direct access to the lagoon and W Maldives’ signature overwater hammock suspended above the Indian Ocean. Guests can also explore the resort’s award-winning house reef directly from the villa deck, experiencing vibrant marine life just steps from their room. Meanwhile, the Escape Beach Villa offers a more relaxed tropical atmosphere surrounded by greenery and direct beach access. The villa includes a private pool and an upper deck with a swinging daybed designed for sunset lounging. Beachside guests can also easily access the house reef from the shoreline. According to General Manager Amila Handunwala, the concept was created for modern luxury travellers seeking variety and flexibility within a single journey. Beyond the villas, guests can explore five restaurants and bars, relax at the overwater AWAY Spa or visit the resort’s private island, Gaathafushi. The resort also offers an extended “Original Wavemaker” package including seaplane transfers and half-board dining, further enhancing the luxury Maldives experience. For more information, visit  https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mlewh-w-maldives/overview/?EM=DNM_WMALDIVES.COM or connect with our team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.   Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Invites Guests to Cultivate Intentional Joy Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai celebrated Global Wellness Day 2026 on 13 June with a full-day wellness programme inspired by this year’s global theme, “Joy Magenta.” Rooted in mindfulness, nature and intentional living, the resort’s experiences are guided by four wellness pillars: gratitude, movement, creativity and connection. The programme is built around the philosophy of the resort’s award-winning Heart of the Earth Spa, which draws inspiration from the teachings of Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. According to Spa Manager Oanh Ngo, the experiences were designed to help guests slow down, reconnect with themselves and rediscover joy through mindful daily practices. The day began with a sunrise Gratitude Ceremony on the beach, featuring crystal singing bowls, reflective meditation and blessings written on sea stones before being returned to the ocean. Guests are then invited to participate in “Oceanfront Movement Flow,” combining yoga and intuitive dance by the water to encourage energy, freedom and emotional wellbeing. Creativity forms another key part of the experience through mandala painting workshops at the resort’s Rise Creative Studio, where guests use colour and symbolism as tools for meditation and self-reflection. The programme also includes an “Adopt a Tree Ceremony,” allowing guests to plant saplings in the resort garden while supporting environmental restoration efforts through the Green Youth Collective. The celebration concludes with the resort’s signature “Goodnight Kiss to the Earth” ritual, where guests release handwritten letters to Mother Nature across a lotus pond at sunset while surrounded by the sound of crystal singing bowls. Located along Vietnam’s central coast near Hoi An, the resort integrates wellness into everyday island life through yoga, meditation, spa rituals and nature-based experiences designed to promote balance, mindfulness and harmony with the surrounding environment. https://www.fourseasons.com/hoian/ Luxury Spa & Wellness in Hoi An, Vietnam | Four Seasons The Nam Hai https://www.fourseasons.com/hoian/spa/

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