In the rain swept interiors of Goa lies hidden the Goan hacienda of Cajueiro Homestead, a farmstay dedicated to the cahsew!

Located in North Goa’s Advoi village in Sattari taluka, not too far from the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Cajueiro Homestead’s deceptively simple looking traditional tiled-roof courtyard-building is set in the midst of a 25-acre plantation that is filled with cashew, jackfruit, papaya, guava, mango, lemon, coconut and jamun trees.

The homestead has large rooms with pretty mosaic floor tiles, all furnished with beautiful antique four-poster or twin beds, rosewood almirahs and old-wood writing desks and chairs. While the rooms may seem to be in the traditional style, the house has all modern amenities that a discerning traveller would expect. The rooms have views of the hills, the lovely plantation trees and the not-too-small lake that is part of the property.

Run by the family that owns the heritage Panjim Inn in the state capital, Cajueiro Homestead is a great spot to explore the verdant and less touristy hinterland of Goa. While the plantation itself allows for long walks among the trees, the nearby jungles and the tree-covered Western Ghats offer many options for hikes and treks. There are also many ancient temples nearby, including a 5^th century Brahma temple. Sacred groves, waterfalls, gushing streams and wildlife sanctuaries are all nearby, so guests can have a wholesome and close-to-nature experience.

At the plantation guests get to find out first hand all the stages of cashew cultivation, harvest and transformation into Nero, Urrack and Feni. You can drink these fresh with some delicious and authentically Goan meals that are a definite highlight of a stay here. From the richly flavoured Goan fish curries to vegetarian dishes using produce, like jackfruit, right from the plantation, meals here will surely hit all the right notes.

If you want some solitude in the midst of a hectic Goan holiday or want to have a Goa experience that is different, then Cajueiro Homestead is a great option. Here you can be in sync with the gentle rhythm of the Goan countryside.

Price: Rs 5,000 plus taxes

Read more: http://cajueirohomestead.com/