3 Simple Steps to a Successful Fall Break

1. Eat, eat, eat! 

 Steak at Le Restaurant du Donjon in Niort

^{Brunch at our Air B&B in Nantes - my parents know how to spoil us}                                                                                              

Steak in a bistro at Nantes

^{Cheesecake at the same bistro - delicious!}          

My dad with his excellent homemade salade niçoise

^{Huitres! At La Cigale in Nantes. Some of the best I've ever tried}     

Duck Confit at La Cigale       

 ^{Crème Brulée at La Cigale - the best creme brule}e I've ever tried, no joke

2. Take advantage of lovely weather and take leisurely walks - and take lots of photos because France. Is. Gorgeous. (All taken in Niort)

After our picnic: with my mum, dad, and my sister (Kate) 

^{With my sister, her boyfriend (Adam), and my dad}

3. RELAX and have fun! I had a midterm the day I got back from break, but I still managed to enjoy and immerse myself in activities that took my mind off of all the work waiting for me back at IES Abroad

Kate, mum, and me   

 ^{Daughter-daddy yoga time}

^{Here we are, sailing in a small boat, all five of us, in Coulon, not too far from Niort. This was definitely one of the highlights of the week!}

 ^{Café hour in Nantes} 

^{It's nice to be legal - especially during break (and on Halloween!)}

^{This week was wonderful, but now it's back to reality. I have a little under two months left here, and still so much left to do. I am excited to go back home to my amazing university, but I'm also not finished with everything this wonderful city has to offer. But one thing's for sure: it's impossible not to enjoy yourself in France.}