Michelle Altenberg | American Expat Abroad
@michellealtenberg.bsky.social
Michelle Altenberg is a writer, traveler and member of the U.S. embassy community abroad. Originally from Texas, she and her husband have lived in London, England, Washington, D.C., and now Bucharest, Romania as part of the diplomatic mission.
The Clementinum Library
📍 Prague, Czech Republic
📍 Prague, Czech Republic
November 19, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The Clementinum Library
📍 Prague, Czech Republic
📍 Prague, Czech Republic
Are planes the ideal venue for reflection? ✈️
I’ve found myself teary-eyed on flights lately. Caught between 2 places, 2 time zones, 2 cultures & mentalities. Up in the sky, in the liminal airspace, I've found I’m the most clear-headed about what I want, what works and what doesn’t.
Anyone else?
I’ve found myself teary-eyed on flights lately. Caught between 2 places, 2 time zones, 2 cultures & mentalities. Up in the sky, in the liminal airspace, I've found I’m the most clear-headed about what I want, what works and what doesn’t.
Anyone else?
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Are planes the ideal venue for reflection? ✈️
I’ve found myself teary-eyed on flights lately. Caught between 2 places, 2 time zones, 2 cultures & mentalities. Up in the sky, in the liminal airspace, I've found I’m the most clear-headed about what I want, what works and what doesn’t.
Anyone else?
I’ve found myself teary-eyed on flights lately. Caught between 2 places, 2 time zones, 2 cultures & mentalities. Up in the sky, in the liminal airspace, I've found I’m the most clear-headed about what I want, what works and what doesn’t.
Anyone else?
Reflecting on what I've learned 12 months into our first Foreign Service posting in Bucharest, Romania.
One year of living in Romania
Reflecting on what I've learned 12 months into our first Foreign Service posting
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reflecting on what I've learned 12 months into our first Foreign Service posting in Bucharest, Romania.
Compiled all my knowledge from living in and visiting Florence over the last 15 years into one complete guide for where to stay!
Where to Stay in Florence for the Best Trip
Learn where to stay in Florence, the best neighborhoods for tourists and where you shouldn't go, as told by a former local!
michellealtenberg.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Compiled all my knowledge from living in and visiting Florence over the last 15 years into one complete guide for where to stay!
To see someone or something in its entirety and love them all the same. Weird quirks or cracks. A door that just won’t shut. A lifetime of stories leading to their imperfect existence.
There’s an undeniable charm to Bucharest’s apartment blocks. You can tell these spaces are well-loved.
There’s an undeniable charm to Bucharest’s apartment blocks. You can tell these spaces are well-loved.
September 26, 2025 at 11:08 AM
To see someone or something in its entirety and love them all the same. Weird quirks or cracks. A door that just won’t shut. A lifetime of stories leading to their imperfect existence.
There’s an undeniable charm to Bucharest’s apartment blocks. You can tell these spaces are well-loved.
There’s an undeniable charm to Bucharest’s apartment blocks. You can tell these spaces are well-loved.
🏰 Bran Castle near Brașov is a medieval fortress famously associated with the Dracula legend.
🦇 While there’s no evidence that Vlad the Impaler (the real-life inspiration for Dracula) ever actually lived there, the castle’s gothic appearance and eerie setting have fueled its spooky reputation.
🦇 While there’s no evidence that Vlad the Impaler (the real-life inspiration for Dracula) ever actually lived there, the castle’s gothic appearance and eerie setting have fueled its spooky reputation.
September 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM
🏰 Bran Castle near Brașov is a medieval fortress famously associated with the Dracula legend.
🦇 While there’s no evidence that Vlad the Impaler (the real-life inspiration for Dracula) ever actually lived there, the castle’s gothic appearance and eerie setting have fueled its spooky reputation.
🦇 While there’s no evidence that Vlad the Impaler (the real-life inspiration for Dracula) ever actually lived there, the castle’s gothic appearance and eerie setting have fueled its spooky reputation.
Nearly autumn but the window boxes of Brașov are still in bloom.🌹 These colorful facades can perk up even a grey day.
September 15, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Nearly autumn but the window boxes of Brașov are still in bloom.🌹 These colorful facades can perk up even a grey day.
Some of my favorite things to do in Brașov, Romania!
What are yours?
What are yours?
September 4, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Some of my favorite things to do in Brașov, Romania!
What are yours?
What are yours?
📍Polignano a Mare, Bari, Italy
August 8, 2025 at 11:19 AM
📍Polignano a Mare, Bari, Italy
Date night idea in Bucharest, Romania!
The most unique terrace with Italian-inspired dishes and red-hued cocktails for cooling off on a steamy summer night ✨
The ambiance and music are perfect for a date night or going out with friends 👌🏼
📍La Grande Bellezza
Calea Victoriei 147
The most unique terrace with Italian-inspired dishes and red-hued cocktails for cooling off on a steamy summer night ✨
The ambiance and music are perfect for a date night or going out with friends 👌🏼
📍La Grande Bellezza
Calea Victoriei 147
July 21, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Date night idea in Bucharest, Romania!
The most unique terrace with Italian-inspired dishes and red-hued cocktails for cooling off on a steamy summer night ✨
The ambiance and music are perfect for a date night or going out with friends 👌🏼
📍La Grande Bellezza
Calea Victoriei 147
The most unique terrace with Italian-inspired dishes and red-hued cocktails for cooling off on a steamy summer night ✨
The ambiance and music are perfect for a date night or going out with friends 👌🏼
📍La Grande Bellezza
Calea Victoriei 147
Rounding out some of my favorite quotes to help put this expat life into perspective.
15+ Inspiring Quotes About Living Abroad (by a Foreign Diplomat)
As a diplomatic family, we've spent a great deal of time living overseas. These quotes have helped me cope through all of life's phases...
michellealtenberg.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Rounding out some of my favorite quotes to help put this expat life into perspective.
Fourth of July festivities at the U.S. embassy in Bucharest, Romania!
Had so much fun volunteering at the Red, White & Blues event where Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan spoke about the importance of the US–Romania relationship.
Had so much fun volunteering at the Red, White & Blues event where Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan spoke about the importance of the US–Romania relationship.
July 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Fourth of July festivities at the U.S. embassy in Bucharest, Romania!
Had so much fun volunteering at the Red, White & Blues event where Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan spoke about the importance of the US–Romania relationship.
Had so much fun volunteering at the Red, White & Blues event where Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan spoke about the importance of the US–Romania relationship.
Travel a little and you’ll find things wrong with your homeland. Travel a lot and you’ll find endless things to be grateful for. 🤍
June 30, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Travel a little and you’ll find things wrong with your homeland. Travel a lot and you’ll find endless things to be grateful for. 🤍
More from Bucharest Pride March 2025
June 11, 2025 at 11:21 AM
More from Bucharest Pride March 2025
Marching for equality during Bucharest's pride event!
You don't often see gay or lesbian couples in Bucharest, which is such a shame because you know they exist! We marched for increased safety, visibility and also for their right to marry whoever they love.
You don't often see gay or lesbian couples in Bucharest, which is such a shame because you know they exist! We marched for increased safety, visibility and also for their right to marry whoever they love.
June 11, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Marching for equality during Bucharest's pride event!
You don't often see gay or lesbian couples in Bucharest, which is such a shame because you know they exist! We marched for increased safety, visibility and also for their right to marry whoever they love.
You don't often see gay or lesbian couples in Bucharest, which is such a shame because you know they exist! We marched for increased safety, visibility and also for their right to marry whoever they love.
Postcards from our trip to Florence, Italy. 🍷🇮🇹
The rooftop view from Grand Hotel Cavour never disappoints.
The rooftop view from Grand Hotel Cavour never disappoints.
May 30, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Postcards from our trip to Florence, Italy. 🍷🇮🇹
The rooftop view from Grand Hotel Cavour never disappoints.
The rooftop view from Grand Hotel Cavour never disappoints.
🏛️ The village of Manarola is a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. It’s one of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre.
🌊 While there’s no sandy beach, the harbor area offers rocky platforms perfect for sunbathing and diving into the sea.
🌊 While there’s no sandy beach, the harbor area offers rocky platforms perfect for sunbathing and diving into the sea.
May 27, 2025 at 12:25 PM
🏛️ The village of Manarola is a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. It’s one of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre.
🌊 While there’s no sandy beach, the harbor area offers rocky platforms perfect for sunbathing and diving into the sea.
🌊 While there’s no sandy beach, the harbor area offers rocky platforms perfect for sunbathing and diving into the sea.
Traveling to Bucharest? I just wrote a complete guide on where to stay + areas to avoid. Hope this helps with your research!
Where to Stay in Bucharest: Hotels + Best Areas (by a Local)
For tourists wondering where to stay in Bucharest, I recommend sectors 1, 2 and 3 near the main sites. You should avoid areas south of...
michellealtenberg.com
May 23, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Traveling to Bucharest? I just wrote a complete guide on where to stay + areas to avoid. Hope this helps with your research!
London looking as beautiful as ever this spring!
A city I can never get enough of.
A city I can never get enough of.
May 9, 2025 at 12:25 PM
London looking as beautiful as ever this spring!
A city I can never get enough of.
A city I can never get enough of.
My favorite places to dine in Bucharest since I moved here almost six months ago!
Where should I try next?
Where should I try next?
Best Restaurants in Bucharest | Where to Eat in Romania's Capital
Take it from a local who dines out on a regular basis--the above eateries are the BEST restaurants in Bucharest.
michellealtenberg.com
April 7, 2025 at 2:13 PM
My favorite places to dine in Bucharest since I moved here almost six months ago!
Where should I try next?
Where should I try next?
Wrote my top tips for avoiding scams when traveling Romania and Bucharest specifically.
What do you think? Did I forget any?
The region is very safe overall, but not without some cheeky tricksters!
What do you think? Did I forget any?
The region is very safe overall, but not without some cheeky tricksters!
Common Scams in Romania Every Traveler Must Know (+ How to Avoid Them)
As an American living in Bucharest, I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with scams in Romania targeting foreigners...
michellealtenberg.com
March 28, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Wrote my top tips for avoiding scams when traveling Romania and Bucharest specifically.
What do you think? Did I forget any?
The region is very safe overall, but not without some cheeky tricksters!
What do you think? Did I forget any?
The region is very safe overall, but not without some cheeky tricksters!
First time trying mici from the famous Terasa Obor in Bucharest. Loved them!
So good with heaps of mustard.
So good with heaps of mustard.
February 24, 2025 at 12:46 PM
First time trying mici from the famous Terasa Obor in Bucharest. Loved them!
So good with heaps of mustard.
So good with heaps of mustard.
Really starting to love photographing Bucharest.
February 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Really starting to love photographing Bucharest.
I've lived in Bucharest, Romania for over three months now! Rounding up my top ten recommendations if it's your first time in the city:
Weekend in Bucharest: The 10 Best Things to Do + Map
This weekend in Bucharest list features my favorite things to do as a local at the top, and a map of all locations at the bottom!
michellealtenberg.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I've lived in Bucharest, Romania for over three months now! Rounding up my top ten recommendations if it's your first time in the city:
So impressed by the Romanian Athenaeum.
January 28, 2025 at 2:30 PM
So impressed by the Romanian Athenaeum.