CONOISSEUR: GIFTS, TRAVELS & TOYS

INDEPENDENCE DAYS
Passengers can visit four islands and five ports in Hawaii and only unpack once while cruising on American Hawaii Cruises’ S.S. Independence. The classic steamship currently begins its seven-night itinerary in Honolulu, Oahu, and sails passengers to Nawiliwili, Kauai; Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; and Kona, Hawaii. However, beginning in November, the Independence will move its home port and depart from Maui on a similar weeklong itinerary. For more information, visit www.cruisehawaii.com.

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE
Board a deluxe private jet to some of golf’s most famous and historic venues with TCS Expeditions’ 11-day “Europe’s Great Courses” Private Jet Golf package. The trip, limited to 40 players, features stops at St. Andrew’s Old Course and Gleneagles’ King’s Course in Scotland, Ballybunion in Ireland, and the Valderrama Golf Club in Spain. Two departures originate in Boston: Aug. 22-Sept. 1, and Sept. 2-12. Priced from $25,950 per person (based on double occupancy), the package includes transportation, hotels, meals, green fees, carts or caddies, professional golf instruction, and gratuities. To reserve your spot, or for more information, call 800.727.7477 or visit www.tcs-expeditions.com.

TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY CADDY
Sun Mountain’s Dynamis is a truly portable, remote-controlled caddy. The 23-pound, battery-powered caddy requires no assembly, folds quickly and easily, and is so compact that two caddies and two bags will easily fit into most car trunks. The rechargeable battery charges completely overnight, and provides enough power for 18 holes of golf. Dynamis, with a suggested retail price of $1,049, is available in red, white, or charcoal. For more information, log on to www.dynamiscaddy.com.

BOOK SHELF
A comprehensive and visually compelling resource, French Wines by Robert Joseph (DK Publishing, $18.95) offers a wealth of practical information on — what else — French wines. The perfect companion while traveling through France or just imagining yourself there.

• Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul (Health Communications, $24 hardcover, $12.95 paperback) is co-authored by Barbara Russell Chesser, a member of the affiliate Brazos Club in Waco, Texas. Full of heartwarming stories for readers 60 years and older, the book exemplifies the theme that age is a state of mind.

• Pipe: The Art and Lore of a Great Tradition by Robin Crole (Prima Communications, $25) is a fascinating history of a long-standing tradition. This beautiful coffee-table book offers guidance on choosing the right pipe and tobacco blend, and explores the pipe’s rich history and culture.

•Chocolate Passion by Tish Boyle and Timothy Moriarty (John Wiley & Sons, $39.95) takes the reader on a journey, from the sublime to the delicious and from the whimsical to the elegant, with chocolate creations to suit every taste and fancy.

A NEW RULE
Choose the ball that best suits your skill level with Callaway “Rule 35” golf balls. Designed in two models (Firmfeel and Softfeel), the balls are available in five-ball sleeves and 10- and 20-ball packs. As for the name, Callaway suggests this new, but unofficial, addition to golf’s 34 governing rules simply tells players to “enjoy the game.” For more information, visit www.callawaygolfball.com.

CYCLING CHEFS
Bike riding can really work up an appetite, so Bike Riders Tours offers a Guest Chef Series in its program of small group bicycle vacations. These biking adventures allow you to cycle alongside an acclaimed chef as you pedal to open-air markets in Italy or France, pick fruit straight from the tree, gather herbs, and sample the foods and wines of Europe. Expect stops at vineyards, afternoons in the kitchen, and meals based on the specialties of the region. Tours begin at $2,720 per person. Find out more about this and Bike Riders Tours’ other programs on the company’s Web site: www.bikeriderstours.com.

THE EDGE
Tour Edge Golf’s new Lift-Off Tungsten irons feature a tungsten insert that varies in mass and location for each iron, thus positioning the center of gravity for optimal performance. Long irons have a low center of gravity. As the set progresses to the short irons, the insert decreases in weight and shifts upward until it is directly behind the sweet spot. The company also has released the third edition of its Super Spin Wedges. For more information, call 800.515.3343.

ON THE RIGHT NOTE
Looking for a perfect way to tell that avid golfer in your life exactly how you feel? Write it down in one of InsideRight’s Creative Note Cards for the Avid Golfer. These high-quality, blank note cards picture golf images accompanied by famous quotes from the humorous to the inspiring on the front. Boxed sets of 12 note cards (three cards of four different images in each box) are available for $19.95. A percentage of all sales is designated for the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women, and for the Professional Caddie Association Worldwide Foundation. Cards in the four collections can be viewed and ordered at www.insideright.com.

WINGED MESSENGER
Get your message across with this English cast lead sculpture of Mercury, Roman mythology’s messenger of the gods, from New England Garden Ornaments in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Based on an 18th century sculpture attributed to Francesco Righetti, this majestic figure makes a bold statement in your garden or courtyard. Available in a 4-foot size for $2,124 and a 6-foot size for $9,589. For more information, visit www.negardenornaments.com.

GET THE PICTURE?
Canon U.S.A. has introduced the EOS-1v 35 mm camera, which features a weather-resistant, all-metal body, 20 “personal functions” that give photographers the freedom to customize their camera for specific needs, and a software system allowing photographers to upload information captured by their camera directly to their computers. The SLR camera is available in two configurations: body only ($2,900) and as a kit with a power drive booster called the EOS-1v HS ($3,400). The EOS Link Software Connection accessory ($250) will be available in the second half of the year. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

THE SPIRIT OF VAN GOGH
Vincent Vodka is a work of art. This new ultrapremium Dutch spirit from Luctor International is handmade in small batches in Holland using a traditional Dutch recipe, but adapted for the American palate. Luctor has patented a breakthrough 3-D bottle design that pays tribute to Vincent van Gogh, the beloved Dutch artist after whom the product is named. By slowly rotating the bottle, images of five of van Gogh’s works appear separately, each individually enlarged by the magnifying effect of the bottle and the vodka. A second gallery series will be released later this year. Suggested retail price is $30. For more information, visit www.vincentvodka.com.

BE LIKE TIGER
Nike Golf has launched the new Tiger Woods Course Air Tour golf shoes collection with three models for the 2000 season. The line of footwear features a black wing-tip, a deep-mocha cap toe, and a black plain toe ($150 per pair). For more information, visit www.nikegolfclub.com.