I go to Caldey very often! In fact, I was there all day last Thursday collecting donations for the RNLI! I love it there, but there isn't much to do or see - unless you like walking or sitting on the beach. Fortunately, I love both of those things. You can't go into the monastery, but you can watch a certain prayer-time that the monks have from a gallery up above. There's a very old church you can walk to that has some cool ogham writing in it. And if you walk all the way to the tip of the island, by the lighthouse, you can usually spot some seals.
As for the perfume, it's nasty. When I was a child, it was OK. The monks used to actually pick the flowers on the island themselves, but I think it's all outsourced now. I wouldn't swear to it, but I know the soap is outsourced because a friend of mine who had a herbal soap business used to make it for them and then they'd slap Caldey labels on it. I think the chocolate is the same. There aren't many monks left nowadays - not many young boys want to go into that vocation - and the ones that are there are quite elderly.
So it depends on what you're looking for. I adore it there, but I like the peaceful atmosphere and the gorgeous scenery. If you want more, you might not get as much out of it.
If you do go, let me know what you think!
