When I first met Adam Gobat, one of the three brothers whose family built and own the Cap Maison estate on the North West tip of St Lucia, I was interested to hear about his marketing ideas and how he intended to bring more visitors to this beautiful island. With the mention of chocolate and rum, (anyone who I am acquainted with knows I have a penchant for quality chocolate), my attention was very much his.

So one cold January evening, on accepting the invitation to the Rabot Estate in London, I learnt from Adam (who was born and raised) in St Lucia, that this West Indian island is one of the most fertile Caribbean islands where anything will grow. It’s volcanic fertile soil is supreme for sustaining fruit and vegetables and the infamous cocoa bean.

St Lucia's green and fertile land

The cocoa plantations of St Lucia have slowly been taken over by the banana plantations which are sold as a commodity. However, that evening, I was introduced to Angus Thirlwell who is the co –founder and CEO from the Hotel Chocolat at the Rabot Estate in Soufiere, St Lucia. He and his team have worked tirelessly to encourage the cocoa plantation farmers to understand the true value of the cocoa beans.

The beautiful view of the Pietons from Hotel Chocolat

Hotel Chocolat was founded with a mission to make chocolate exciting again. Authenticity, originality and ethics are central to the brand.To their credit, given the disparity between those who enjoy fine chocolate and the subsistence cocoa growers  - who nurture the beans, Hotel Chocolat wanted to do something to make a difference, which led to creating their Engaged Ethics programme in 2002. This programme has gained real momentum and is delivering sustainable benefits to cocoa communities in both Saint Lucia and Ghana.

The cocoa farmers on the plantation

So what has all this got to do with Cap Maison Estate?

Cap Maison, St Lucia

Well, between Cap Maison and the Hotel Chocolat, this holiday with a difference is designed to showcase St Lucia’s rum and cocoa heritage. By joint collaboration, they provide a seven day holiday of pure indulgence. Your experience will be enriched by engaging with the true essence of what St Lucia has to offer. And with Cap Maison currently leading the fine dining scene on the island with its award winning, cliff top restaurant ‘The Cliff at Cap’, this really will be a very special holiday.

Cap Maison

Highlights of this holiday include a rum appreciation evening at Cap Maison and a scenic full day excursion to Hotel Chocolat. This starts with a boat cruise along the west coast of St Lucia, stopping at the picturesque Marigot Bay en route. Guests travel further south, taking in the majestic Pitons to Soufriere where they will discover the Rabot Estate, home to Hotel Chocolat and Saint Lucia’s oldest cocoa plantation. Here you can learn about the chocolate making process, create your own chocolate bars with the guidance of the cocoa farmers. You will also enjoy a cacao cuisine lunch at Hotel Chocolat’s Boucan restaurant and learn how to make ganache for decadent chocolate truffles.

7 nights’ accommodation in a Courtyard Villa Suite (based on two sharing)

A day excursion to Hotel Chocolat and activities at the Rabot Estate Cocoa Plantation in the south of the island

Scenic boat transfer from the north to the south of the island from Cap Maison to Hotel Chocolat

Daily breakfast at the acclaimed ‘Cliff at Cap’ restaurant, under the direction of Executive Chef Craig Jones

1 x two course lunch at Cliff at Cap for two people with a complimentary bottle of wine

1 x special pairing dinner with selected rum and wines served at The Cliff at Cap and in the wine cellar

Rum appreciation evening at Cliff at Cap’s rum bar

Authentic seafood BBQ on the private Smugglers Cove beach

Complimentary bottle of Chairman’s Reserve rum and a selection of St Lucian favourite’s in a mini hamper

Return transfers to and from Hewanorra International Airport

The price for the Rum & Chocolate Holiday Package is £4,400 per person when staying between 3^rd January and 13^th April 2012 or £3,300 during the summer period of 14^th April to 19^th December 2012. This excludes 10% service and 8% government tax.

Back in London, after tasting the Chairman’s Reserve, authentic Caribbean rum and gold medal winner at the International Spirits Challenge in 2011, my imagination has wandered and I am far away on the West Indian shores enjoying the Caribbean climate.