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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
So impressed by the Romanian Athenaeum.
January 28, 2025 at 2:30 PM
So impressed by the Romanian Athenaeum.
Maybe one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. The heaviest in the world I hear, too.
📍Palace of Parliament, Bucharest
📍Palace of Parliament, Bucharest
January 20, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Maybe one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. The heaviest in the world I hear, too.
📍Palace of Parliament, Bucharest
📍Palace of Parliament, Bucharest
Morning in Bucharest. Fascinating architecture with so much potential.
January 20, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Morning in Bucharest. Fascinating architecture with so much potential.
If you're making summer travel plans, don't sleep on a two or three day visit to Bucharest (my new home)!
The city has so much to offer in terms of food and cultural activities.
Europe's largest wellness spa--Therme Bucharest--is well worth a trip to Romania in itself.
The city has so much to offer in terms of food and cultural activities.
Europe's largest wellness spa--Therme Bucharest--is well worth a trip to Romania in itself.
January 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
If you're making summer travel plans, don't sleep on a two or three day visit to Bucharest (my new home)!
The city has so much to offer in terms of food and cultural activities.
Europe's largest wellness spa--Therme Bucharest--is well worth a trip to Romania in itself.
The city has so much to offer in terms of food and cultural activities.
Europe's largest wellness spa--Therme Bucharest--is well worth a trip to Romania in itself.
First time visiting Obor Market in Bucharest, Romania!
Larger than I expected and with incredible produce.
The seafood section was a bit surprising 🫣
Larger than I expected and with incredible produce.
The seafood section was a bit surprising 🫣
January 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
First time visiting Obor Market in Bucharest, Romania!
Larger than I expected and with incredible produce.
The seafood section was a bit surprising 🫣
Larger than I expected and with incredible produce.
The seafood section was a bit surprising 🫣
Our first meal in Bucharest, Romania. Ordered some garlic sauce to go with my sausages.
Did NOT expect the garlic sauce to actually be just puréed garlic, salt and water 😆
Guess you gotta keep those vampires away somehow! 🧛♀️
Did NOT expect the garlic sauce to actually be just puréed garlic, salt and water 😆
Guess you gotta keep those vampires away somehow! 🧛♀️
December 31, 2024 at 12:04 PM
Our first meal in Bucharest, Romania. Ordered some garlic sauce to go with my sausages.
Did NOT expect the garlic sauce to actually be just puréed garlic, salt and water 😆
Guess you gotta keep those vampires away somehow! 🧛♀️
Did NOT expect the garlic sauce to actually be just puréed garlic, salt and water 😆
Guess you gotta keep those vampires away somehow! 🧛♀️