Lifestyle

y A REAL FIND The bespoke travel market grows ever bigger, as increasing numbers of customers eschew the major tour operators in favour of paying extra to guarantee a much more personalised service. These days, companies showcase their specialist knowledge online by providing well-researched articles about locations alongside jaw-dropping photography and local tips from an actual local. Trufflepig belongs to this new generation of trip planners, snuffling out customised holidays designed to satisfy the every whim of the discerning traveller. Whether hiking through Guatemalan rainforests, kite-skiing across Antarctica’s polar plateau or following the ancient spice route from Muscat in Oman to Zanzibar in Tanzania, trips are truly bespoke and built completely around you from scratch. Prices vary, of course, but a typical itinerary will cost between US$300 and US$1,000 per day, including fees. trufflepig.com

{ KEEP FOCUSED When the action on the polo pitch is lively and the goals are coming thick and fast, you shouldn’t be forced to squint into the distance to try to catch it all. A sub-standard pair of binoculars will probably do the job, but to guarantee you keep your focus throughout, it’s worth investing in something you relish taking out of your bag.

German lens-maker Zeiss has been flexing its optical muscles since 1846, and is therefore one of the best in the world, utilised by filmmakers and Formula 1 teams. Its range of binoculars caters for every imaginable scenario, with multi-coated optics, water-repellent layers, twist-up eye cups and ergonomic focus. And the high-end models are also moisture-proof and nitrogen-purged to eliminate any chance of fogging. So, as well as watching the polo action, you’ll be well equipped for hunting trips, birdwatching, stadium concerts and Formula 1 racing too. The Conquest series starts at £685; the Victory range at £1,505. zeiss.co.uk y LOOK SHARP For those who enjoy cooking, not many experiences can be as satisfying as carving a roast with a knife so sharp it’s hard to tell when you’ve hit the bone. Or slicing a tomato into near-homeopathic dimensions, without even having to hold it. If that seems impossible, Tog, creator of the first Japanese kitchen knives to hit the UK, is determined to prove you wrong.

With special steel blades roll-forged in the tradition of Samurai swordmaking, Tog’s finely-honed knives were first conceived by award-winning product designer Rob BeagleyBrown in 2004 while on assignment in Seki, the heartland of the Samurai tradition. On his return to the UK, he began developing Tog with head chef Ben Tamlyn. Uniquely, the 21-layer blades contain a copper alloy, which gives them antimicrobial properties as well as a very attractive series of burnished stripes. The UK’s sharpest kitchen knives start at £99.99 and come with a lifetime guarantee. togknives.com

{ OFF THE CUFF Those seeking personality in their adornments will love emerging jewellery designer Tessa Packard’s bold and intricate pieces. Yellow gold set around geometric precious stones predominate in her unique designs, which are characteristic of her Brazilian roots. Highlights include the Waffle Heart necklace, £300, in gold vermeil and silver, and the Shanghai Fire Ring, £11,000 (pictured) – an 18ct yellow-gold and gemstone knuckle ring. Her forthcoming Fat Free collection references everything from Pop Art to Willy Wonka. tessapackard.com y KEY PIECE A Steinway piano combines sumptuous tonality, perfect weighting and a blissful response with strength and durability – after all, it was one of the first able to cope with the force of Liszt’s flying rhapsodies. Last year, for its 160th birthday, the historic instrument-maker displayed its new Arabesque model in a pop-up showroom created in conjunction with designer Dakota Jackson. The intricate, linear accents on its body evoke all meanings of the word ‘arabesque’, giving the impression of fluidity and motion. Just 50 of these extraordinary pianos are available. steinway.com

y YOU RANG…? Here’s a scenario for you: you’re heading to South America for the start of the Argentine season in September. This year, you’ve decided to make the most of the location by tacking on a visit to Mendoza for some world-class wine tasting and maybe a day’s mountain-climbing in the Andes. But time is precious – if only you had someone to do the research for you, giving you a list of options that fit in around your existing plans… Welcome to Source, a digital concierge app for iPad and iPhone.

Working with a carefully selected group of merchants, the app creators offer luxury lifestyle products and services from specialists to help you find exactly what you want, whether that’s a sleek new outfit for dinner, a bottle of rare wine or a potential property investment. And if inspiration runs out, Source has some informative articles for every category to give you lots of ideas. Membership is by invitation only and costs £200 per year. source-lifestyle.com

{ AGAINST THE GRAIN If you’re serious about your photography, and you appreciate the finer things in life, then a Hasselblad could well be your luxury gadget of choice in 2015. The legendary Swedish manufacturer created the camera that captured the first images of the Moon’s landscape, and recently entered the consumer market to launch, first, the Lunar compact camera system (pictured, around £4,400) and then the Stellar pocket-sized line.

With elements inspired by haute horology and F1 supercar technology, these models are aimed at those who want to accessorise in style, as well as take great photographs. Technically innovative (with Sony hardware and Zeiss lenses) and portable, what sets Hasselblad compacts apart is their high-spec design and luxurious finish.

The Lunar’s ergonomic handgrip, for example, comes in carbon fibre, deerskin leather or wood, and will mould to the user’s hand over time. The pocket-sized Stellar II range (from £1,550), is available in a rich palette of lacquered fine woods, including walnut, padauk and olive, which are utilised both on the camera itself and in its elegant packaging. These are undeniable objects of beauty. hasselblad.co.uk y A NEW CHAPTER The story started in 1993, when Martine and Prosper Assouline published La Colombe d’Or, celebrating the small luxury hotel in St-Paul-de-Vence, France. They have since created a unique niche in publishing, with highly desirable lifestyle and fashion titles that are works of art in their own right.

Two decades and 1,400 titles later and Assouline has opened its first flagship London boutique. But the Piccadilly store, housed in an extensively refurbished, cube-shaped Edward Lutyensdesigned building, is far more than just a bookshop. Furnished with antiques found at auctions and curiosities made by skilled craftspeople from across the world, Maison Assouline is a place to linger. Browse the company’s stunning books and exclusive photographic prints selected from its titles, as well as vintage tomes, leather goods, library accessories, home décor and stationery. And if you feel in need of refreshment, order an espresso or a glass of champagne from the Swans Bar, which serves such Gallic delights as foie gras, canelets and salmon toasts throughout the day. assouline.com