St Lucia, Barbados & Jamaica: A Gourmet Getaway in the Caribbean

Freshly caught fish off the coast of St Lucia; Complex rum flavors in the Abbeys of Barbados; Family-treasured jerk recipes on the streets of Jamaica. Each Caribbean island boasts its own distinct flavor.

Think of the Caribbean and think of a riot of color, culture and flavor. There’s a heady concoction of tastes to be found here, all of which combine to create something quite remarkable. Proof that the Caribbean is not just for the beachcombers, spend ten days hopping between the vibrant isles of St Lucia, Barbados and Jamaica and discover the unique flavor of each. From freshly caught fish off St Lucia to the complex rum flavors of Barbados and the family-treasured jerk recipes of Jamaica, this trip will have your appetite fully sated. But never content just to satisfy, we’ll bookend these culinary experiences with immersive local encounters and island explorations by white water raft, horseback and catamaran. Ensuring every whim is catered to, right down to that all-important sea view from the islands’ best hotels, it’s time to escape to the Caribbean.

Get a taste of island life alongside one of St Lucia’s budding young chefs in the charming fishing village of Soufriere

Your culinary immersion begins on the Piton-peaked island of St Lucia where you’ll spend three nights at the stunning enclave of Sugar Beach, strolling barefoot along a beach that’s every bit as perfect as it sounds. Settle in, perhaps stopping by the Rainforest Spa for one of their signature chocolate body polishes, before exploring the charming fishing village of Soufriere the next day. Here, you’ll spend some time getting to know the local culture as you sample some of the island’s favorite foods – from vegetable soup to fried dumplings and cocoa tea, before enjoying a tasting with one of the island’s up-and-coming chefs.

Go deep-sea fishing for dorado – before handing your catch over to the best chef on the island for a private lunch

Tomorrow, you’ll head out to sea to discover the rich bounty of the Caribbean Sea on a private deep-sea fishing trip. Cast a line and wait to feel the tug of dorado, tuna, mackerel, wahoo or snapper below before reeling it in and leaving the crew to do the rest. Back on dry land, we’ll arrange for your catch to be prepared by the best chef on the island in a private lunch overlooking Soufriere and the sea beyond. Spend the rest of your time on the island discovering what else St Lucia has to offer – whether that’s the cacao cuisine of the Rabot Estate or the drift snorkelling of the Pitons. For something extra special, we can even arrange a private yacht charter that will see you set sail up the island’s west coast, just as the sun begins to dip into the sea.

Bottle your own Rum in Barbados – and then take it home to drink

From St Lucia, it’s just a quick hop across the tropical waters to rum-infused Barbados. Check-in amid the peace of the Sandpiper for three nights before heading out with a private guide to explore the island. You’ll start at Cherry Tree Hill where, 850ft high, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the island. From there, continue onto the Morgan Lewis Windmill, the only sugar windmill left standing on the island, before finishing up amid the lush surrounds of St. Nicholas Abbey. Here, we’ll treat you to a curated rum tasting to get your taste buds going before whisking you off to the village of Bathsheba to sample the Bajan specialty of rum-infused coconut water. In the evening, you’ll then join some of the island’s leading mixologists for a progressive dinner through the island’s best restaurants before picking up the ultimate souvenir the next day. To cap off your time in Barbados, we’ll arrange an afternoon rum blending class where you’ll spend some time sampling the different styles and flavors of liqueur to create your own bespoke blend – complete with a personalized label.

A Rastafarian Cooking Class in the Rainforest and Traditional Jerk Cooking over the Fire

Last up in this Caribbean trio is Jamaica and three nights at the James Bond approved GoldenEye hotel. Staying in your own private beach hut, you’ll feel as if you have the island to yourself – so spend the afternoon exploring it, be it on foot, on horseback or with a rafting trip from Port Antonio. Tomorrow, you’ll head out into the rainforest of St Ann and evoke the island’s Rastafarian culture with a private cooking class in a jungle kitchen. Following a vegetarian menu drawing on local produce such as pumpkin and sorrel, your chef will share the Rastafarian lifestyle with you as you prepare these dishes before sitting down to a delicious lunch beneath the canopy. The next day, you’ll experience another famous Jamaican flavor with a Jerk cooking class. This long-honed and long-treasured combination of spices is one of Jamaica’s greatest treasures and alongside a local chef, you’ll get to know each of the components before preparing lunch the traditional way – over a coal fire fed with pimento wood.

For one last flavor note of the Caribbean, we can arrange on your last evening for you to watch the sunset from a secluded spot atop the cliffs of the Caves while sampling some of Jamaica’s best rums. As the rum warms your soul and the skies fade to black, we’re confident you’ll be left with a lasting flavor of your Caribbean getaway.