Goa! Goa is my go-to vacation spot this side of the Atlantic. The entire family loves going there, have for years. After doing the rounds of the typical tourist spots – the churches, the Shanta Durga Temple, Dona Paula, Anjuna Beach, Mandovi dinner cruise etc. several times, we now prefer to just relax at the beach and gorge on local food and of course, chilled beer!

As if the lush palm trees, brightly colored houses, winding lanes and beaches weren’t enough, Goa offers my favorite snack food – cashews! As a child, I looked forward to the gift of these red unshelled cashews that folks from Goa would get for us. And when my mom traveled there for work, the cashews were top on the list of things she had to bring back.

In spite of visiting Goa so many times, I have never been there for any festival, the most notable being Christmas/ New Year or Carnival time in February. I recently came across yet another festival – this one features my favorite cashew!

The Park Hyatt Goa Resort is holding its fourth annual Cashew Festival starting April 10. Events like a Feni Master Class, Cashew Cycling trail, visit to a cashew farm, cashew inspired menu and cashew trail brunch are just the beginning. If this video from last year is any indication, the 2015 event is going to be full of fun and frolic.

And when you have enough of eating the cashew, you can experience it in a different way at the Serena Spa where a cashew ritual awaits you. South Goa is my favorite place to stay in Goa and I normally stay around Colwa. The Park Hyatt at Arossim Beach is in South Goa, on 45 lush acres of landscaped gardens and lagoons.

Well, if you are looking for a quick getaway before the more intense heat of summer sets in, head to Goa and take in the Cashew Festival.