This is an excerpt from a “You & Your Wedding” original article

ST LUCIA

The vibe: Opulent adventure

Best for: Stunning scenery. Budding photographers and Instagram enthusiasts will love the natural splendour of this volcanic Caribbean isle.

Imagine a place where you can find British home comforts like driving on the left and proper cups of tea, alongside all your favourite food and wine from a holiday in France with a Caribbean climate and straight-from-a-Bounty-advert-beaches. Amazingly such a place does exist and it’s called St Lucia, an island steeped in a history that brings three cultures together in heavenly style. As a Francophile Brit with a penchant for sunning myself against paradise backdrops, this beautiful teardrop-shaped island was everything I’d hoped it would be and more.

Before I set foot on St Lucia’s lush, green land, I’d heard many things – it’s well-known on the honeymoon circuit for its incredible volcanic scenery and laid-back luxe five-star hotels. It was news to me that the destination is a tale of two islands though. The north is lively with street parties and the buzzing capital, Castries, while the south is tranquil and dominated by awesome geographical sights. Even the beaches are different with deep golden shorelines framing the north and silvery white sands in the south. It only seemed right to discover both ends with a dual-stop stay, so after landing in the south we begin the white-knuckle ride journey by car through the awesome jungle scenery to the northernmost tip, Pointe du Cap. As we go our driver fills us in on all the exotic species hiding in the island’s lush centre, including the very rare St Lucian parrot.

Our destination is Cap Maison, a boutique hotel on the rugged cliffs overlooking Pigeon Island. The second we step out onto the sun-drenched drive surrounded by fragrant bougainvillea and the tinkling of water features, the staff greet us like old friends and I know I’m going to feel right at home here. The hotel feels like an exotic Mediterranean village with an inviting main house, complete with honesty bar and beautiful one-off pieces of furniture.

Every winding path we amble down reveals another surprise, from a two-tiered infinity pool with views that make you rub your eyes to a private path down to the beach, with its traditional beach-shack restaurant.

A Gardenview Room at Cap Maison starts from £275 per night on a B&B basis (two sharing), capmaison.com.