Lauren Keith | Travel Writer

Lauren Keith | Travel Writer

blog [at] noplacelike.it

About Lauren

US-based Travel Writer | Journalist | Tourism Consultant | Editor | Copywriter

Lauren Keith is a guidebook author, travel writer and a digital nomad with a sort-of home base. She writes most often about the Middle East and North Africa, London, US national parks (especially in Utah), Amtrak and train travel, and outdoor adventures. A graduate of the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas, she's developed a passion for international travel and shining the spotlight on off-the-beaten-track and underloved places and stories.

With more than a decade of experience as a professional writer and editor, Lauren has a portfolio that spans travel guidebooks, hardback coffee table books, websites, magazines, social media and digital apps.

About Lauren

Published in

Featured Work

Who Gets to Tell the Story of Ancient Egypt?

Smithsonian Magazine | December 2022

Who Gets to Tell the Story of Ancient Egypt?
Read on Smithsonian Magazine

What’s it like to travel on the longest daily-running train service in the US

National Geographic | December 2023

What's it like to travel on the longest daily-running train service in the US
Read on National Geographic

The Flow of the Nile

AAA Traveler Worldwise | January 2023

The Flow of the Nile
Read on AAA Traveler Worldwise

London’s Retired Tube Trains Live on an Island

Atlas Obscura | February 2021

London’s Retired Tube Trains Live on an Island
Read on Atlas Obscura

Hegra, an Ancient City in Saudi Arabia Untouched for Millennia, Makes Its Public Debut

Smithsonian Magazine | November 2020

Hegra, an Ancient City in Saudi Arabia Untouched for Millennia, Makes Its Public Debut
Read on Smithsonian Magazine

Book Contributions | Writing

Book Contributions | Editing

Digital Articles

2024

14 of the best hotels in Cairo for 2024
The Times of London | September 2024

The ultimate guide to the Pyramids of Giza: everything you need to know
The Times of London | August 2024

Where to find the best BBQ in the USA
Lonely Planet | August 2024

18 of the best Egypt tours
The Times of London | July 2024

25 of the best things to do in Egypt
The Times of London | July 2024

14 of the best hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh
The Times of London | June 2024

How to see Utah's "Mighty 5" national parks on an epic road trip
Lonely Planet | June 2024

Local Flavor: the best places to eat and drink in Kansas City
Lonely Planet | May 2024

14 reasons Kansas City should be your next trip
Lonely Planet | May 2024

First-timer’s guide to Canyonlands National Park
Lonely Planet | May 2024

First-timer’s guide to Bryce Canyon National Park
Lonely Planet | May 2024

First-timer’s guide to Arches National Park
Lonely Planet | May 2024

A first-timer’s guide to Zion National Park
Lonely Planet | May 2024

A practical guide to travel in Egypt, from tipping culture to independent touring
National Geographic | May 2024

How to plan the ultimate adventure in Egypt, from Cairo to the Red Sea
National Geographic | May 2024

What it's like trekking with the Bedouin on Egypt's Sinai Trail
National Geographic | May 2024

We Show You How to Eat, Stay & Play in Ancient, Vibrant Cairo
Jetsetter | February 2024

10 best places to visit in Egypt for an unforgettable holiday
The Times of London | February 2024

12 best hotels in Hurghada for a holiday in the sun
The Times of London | January 2024

2023

How to plan the ultimate US rail trip along the West Coast or Eastern Seaboard
National Geographic | December 2023

A practical guide to riding the rails in the US, from train passes to delays
National Geographic | December 2023

What's it like to travel on the longest daily-running train service in the US
National Geographic | December 2023

8 Reasons 2024 Is the Year To Visit Saudi
Matador Network | December 2023

6 of the best neighborhoods to visit in Cairo
Lonely Planet | December 2023

6 of the best free things to do in Cairo
Lonely Planet | December 2023

9 ways to experience Cairo on a budget
Lonely Planet | December 2023

Fodor's Finest: The Best Hotels in Africa & the Middle East
Fodor's | November 2023

Why you should take a River Nile cruise in Egypt
weather2travel.com | November 2023

I've Been Going to the Middle East for Years — Here Are the 13 Clothing Items and Accessories I Never Travel Without
Travel + Leisure | September 2023

Sharm El Sheikh for every traveller
British Airways HighLife | July 2023

'Slow tourism is a positive way to move past trauma' – hiking in Iraq's Kurdistan
Lonely Planet | June 2023

72 Hours in Kansas City with Kids
AAA World | June 2023

Get a sneak peek at the Grand Egyptian Museum as it starts limited guided tours
Lonely Planet | April 2023

Amtrak's Adirondack service to Montréal returns
Lonely Planet | April 2023

A new long-distance hiking trail in Jordan will take you through the wonders of Wadi Rum
Lonely Planet | March 2023

Amtrak offers 'Night Owl' sale fares for just $5. Here's how to book the deal
Lonely Planet | March 2023

Help Me, LP! How do I make the most of Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass?
Lonely Planet | February 2023

Amtrak plans to upgrade its overnight trains – here’s what that means for travelers
Lonely Planet | January 2023

The Flow of the Nile
AAA Traveler Worldwise | January 2023

2022

Who Gets to Tell the Story of Ancient Egypt?
Smithsonian Magazine | December 2022

How can digital nomad visas benefit remote workers – and the economy?
ROADBOOK | November 2022

Dig deeper with these 8 alternative destinations in Egypt
Lonely Planet | October 2022

Here’s what it’s like to take a Nile cruise in 2022
Lonely Planet | October 2022

The best US cities for remote working
ROADBOOK | September 2022

Six top Egypt tips for solo women travellers
G Adventures | September 2022

Israel country guide: Everything you need to know before you go
The Independent | August 2022

Egypt relaxes street photography rules: here’s what travelers need to know
Lonely Planet | August 2022

The most luxurious hotel suites across Europe, Africa and the Middle East
Marriott Bonvoy Traveler | July 2022

A Guide to Bahrain: What to Do and Where to Stay
Marriott Bonvoy Traveler | July 2022

Israel's most surprising landscapes
G Adventures | June 2022

The best free (or nearly free) things to do in Sacramento
Lonely Planet | April 2022

The top 10 things to do in Sacramento, from museums to breweries
Lonely Planet | April 2022

Sacramento’s best neighborhoods for culture, coffee and more
Lonely Planet | April 2022

Experience Egypt's epic history by getting up close with these latest discoveries
Lonely Planet | January 2022

2021

11 fun things to do in St Louis, Missouri
Lonely Planet | December 2021

7 fun ways to spend time outdoors on your trip to Kansas City
Matador Network | September 2021

How to support local on your Kansas City trip
Matador Network | September 2021

21 reasons to love Kansas City in 2021
Matador Network | September 2021

What’s the most environmentally friendly way to travel?
The Independent | July 2021

A foodie tour of Jerusalem, from the soil to the sea
The Independent | July 2021

Kansas City Travel Guide
AFAR | May 2021

Travelling the Middle East will be the easiest it’s ever been
Al Jazeera | May 2021

How to have an epic North American trip without a car
Lonely Planet | April 2021

More US cities could be connected by rail with this major Amtrak upgrade
Lonely Planet | April 2021

Ask LP: How can I explore the US by Amtrak?
Lonely Planet | April 2021

Why Tunis Is North Africa’s Rising Star
World Nomads | March 2021

Travelers arriving into Jordan no longer have to quarantine for seven days
Lonely Planet | February 2021

London’s Retired Tube Trains Live on an Island
Atlas Obscura | February 2021

Egypt plans to build a high-speed train from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean
Lonely Planet | January 2021

The UK's BrewDog pubs want to offer you a vaccine - and a commemorative beer
Lonely Planet | January 2021

Explore the deserts of Abu Dhabi on these new off-roading routes
Lonely Planet | January 2021

Scotland's first hydrogen-powered train will run by the end of 2021
Lonely Planet | January 2021

The newest national park in the US is a hotspot for outdoor adventures
Lonely Planet | January 2021

Travel trends for 2021: long-distance hikes
Lonely Planet | January 2021

2020

Chernobyl is seeking Unesco World Heritage status
Lonely Planet | December 2020

24 Hours in Jeddah
Veen Scene | December 2020

New low-cost trains will run between Madrid and Barcelona in 2021
Lonely Planet | December 2020

13 cities across Europe will be linked with new night train routes
Lonely Planet | December 2020

Lufthansa is trialing 'sleeping rows' in economy class
Lonely Planet | December 2020

Travelers from more than 100 countries can now visit Oman without a visa
Lonely Planet | December 2020

How the Acropolis is becoming more accessible
Lonely Planet | December 2020

The world's first underwater roundabout is opening in the Faroe Islands
Lonely Planet | December 2020

Take a cinematic trip through Tunisia's blockbuster filming locations
Lonely Planet | December 2020

Passenger ferry route could open between Morocco and the Canary Islands
Lonely Planet | December 2020

The UK's longest mountain bike trail for beginners is now open
Lonely Planet | November 2020

Take a guaranteed quarantine-free holiday to the Caribbean
Lonely Planet | November 2020

Live and work in Abu Dhabi with a new permit for international freelancers
Lonely Planet | November 2020

A new Black-owned bourbon company plans to open a distillery in Kentucky
Lonely Planet | November 2020

Delaware launches new driving tour featuring Instagram-friendly art
Lonely Planet | November 2020

Hegra, an Ancient City in Saudi Arabia Untouched for Millennia, Makes Its Public Debut
Smithsonian Magazine | November 2020

New luxury resort that floats on water is set to open in Dubai
Lonely Planet | November 2020

The FDA has approved an at-home COVID-19 test
Lonely Planet | November 2020

A luxury resort in the Maldives is offering unlimited stays in 2021
Lonely Planet | November 2020

This extraordinary hotel will be carved into the desert near AlUla
Lonely Planet | November 2020

The simple way Barcelona is making the city more pedestrian-friendly
Lonely Planet | November 2020

This Spanish city is the first to measure tourism's carbon footprint
Lonely Planet | November 2020

Is MOM Air, a new and familiar-looking budget airline, for real?
Lonely Planet | November 2020

This ghost town in Western Australia could become an eco-tourism destination
Lonely Planet | November 2020

Costa Rica is asking travelers to offset their carbon footprint
Lonely Planet | November 2020

New report reveals the best cities in the world for 2021
Lonely Planet | November 2020

Day trips from Jeddah
Visit Saudi | November 2020

The first stretch of Miami's new 10-mile linear park is set to open
Lonely Planet | November 2020

Walk or cycle from New York City to Canada on the new Empire State Trail
Lonely Planet | November 2020

This historic cemetery in London is now open to tours
Lonely Planet | November 2020

Machu Picchu reopens with a bang as tourists return to Peru
Lonely Planet | November 2020

More than 200 UV light sanitisers are being installed on the London Underground
Lonely Planet | October 2020

Here's how Americans are planning to travel this holiday season
Lonely Planet | October 2020

A Michelin-starred restaurant in Budapest is serving diners on a Ferris wheel
Lonely Planet | October 2020

Amsterdam will use flowers to keep its bridges clear of locked bicycles
Lonely Planet | October 2020

A new bike trail will allow cyclists to circle Italy's Lake Garda
Lonely Planet | October 2020

Dubai is the latest spot to announce a new visa for remote workers
Lonely Planet | October 2020

A beach club wants to create a members-only area of Bondi Beach in Sydney
Lonely Planet | October 2020

Explore Medina
Visit Saudi | October 2020

4 day trips in the Medina Province
Visit Saudi | October 2020

You can now book virtual travel experiences on Amazon
Lonely Planet | October 2020

Singapore is launching 'cruises to nowhere'
Lonely Planet | October 2020

This new luxury cruise ship is set to sail around Venice next spring
Lonely Planet | October 2020

How Egypt is trying to encourage the return of tourism
Lonely Planet | October 2020

Stuck indoors? You can listen to the sounds of forests around the world
Lonely Planet | October 2020

Madagascar is partially reopening to travelers this week
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Skiing, hiking or craft beer? This airline will filter destinations based on your interests
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Passenger jets could start flying in formation like geese
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Would you get on a flight to nowhere?
Lonely Planet | September 2020

The world's largest overwater villas are opening soon in the Maldives
Lonely Planet | September 2020

A new map of London highlights the city's most intriguing streets
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi must now wear quarantine tracking bracelets
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Design London's answer to NYC's High Line and win £10k
Lonely Planet | September 2020

This is when Oman will reopen its borders to tourists
Lonely Planet | September 2020

United plans new flights to Africa, India, Israel and Hawaii
Lonely Planet | September 2020

The Met's gift shop just got even more glamorous with limited edition items
Lonely Planet | September 2020

A new trail in the Russian wilderness leads to a spacecraft's crash landing site
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Morocco is reopening its borders to travelers with hotel reservations
Lonely Planet | September 2020

This website aims to find the top places for wildlife spotting in Africa
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Could using an ad-blocker lead to additional charges on this airline?
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Travelers can kayak around the Louvre Abu Dhabi at sunrise and sunset
Lonely Planet | September 2020

TSA is trialing facial recognition checkpoints at airports
Lonely Planet | September 2020

This US city is offering $5000 to residents with the best outdoor dining ideas for winter
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Long-lost medieval sacristy is unearthed at Westminster Abbey
Lonely Planet | September 2020

Qantas may not fly to the US until a COVID-19 vaccine is available
Lonely Planet | September 2020

4 stunning mosques in Saudi Arabia
Visit Saudi | September 2020

New hop-on-hop-off bus journey will cross 18 countries over 70 days
Lonely Planet | August 2020

The history of Saudi’s trade routes
Visit Saudi | August 2020

New low-cost European train service links up three major cities
Lonely Planet | August 2020

The Tower of London's ravens are getting bored from the lack of visitors
Lonely Planet | August 2020

Dubai is the latest city to become a friendlier place for cyclists
Lonely Planet | August 2020

Students can upgrade their classroom at a Mexican resort near Puerto Vallarta
Lonely Planet | August 2020

The Pyramids of Giza is undergoing a major revamp with new visitor amenities
Lonely Planet | August 2020

Some hotels are offering COVID-19 tests during check-out to reassure guests
Lonely Planet | August 2020

This hotel is tempting remote workers to Vegas with discounted stays and luxury perks
Lonely Planet | August 2020

'Don't push down a slower friend': US issues 'advice' for bear encounters
Lonely Planet | August 2020

Canceled by coronavirus, London's famous Notting Hill Carnival is moving online
Lonely Planet | August 2020

This airport became the world's busiest during pandemic-era travel
Lonely Planet | August 2020

Sweden is planning to launch night trains to Germany and Belgium
Lonely Planet | August 2020

Hawaii could introduce 'resort bubbles' for quarantined tourists
Lonely Planet | August 2020

Sleep on the sands at Cornwall's latest pop-up glamping site
Lonely Planet | August 2020

Jordan is reopening to visitors from 22 countries
Lonely Planet | July 2020

A new hiking network links thousands of towns around Britain
Lonely Planet | July 2020

You can now rent a celebrity tour bus for your summer road trip
Lonely Planet | July 2020

JetBlue and American Airlines have teamed up on domestic and international flights
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Brexit is bringing major changes for British travelers heading to Europe in 2021
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Google launches translator app for ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Buckingham Palace is selling a gin with botanicals picked from the palace’s gardens
Lonely Planet | July 2020

A new 'smart' face mask can translate speech into eight languages
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia converted from a museum to a mosque
Lonely Planet | July 2020

The Lord of the Rings inspired this new Spanish hiking trail
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Stay in a repurposed musical festival tent at these new glamping sites
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Airbnb is banning some users under 25 from renting entire houses
Lonely Planet | July 2020

This new overnight train to Croatia is already so popular that it's running daily
Lonely Planet | July 2020

A coast-to-coast US road trip in an electric car is now easier than ever
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Explore more of London's famous Highgate Cemetery without a guide
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Some US airlines will start operating full flights
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Would you go on a cruise with no stops?
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Using the overhead bins is currently banned on some Italy flights
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Segway - a city tour staple - is ending production of its two-wheeled vehicle
Lonely Planet | July 2020

Exploring close to home could improve your mood, new research finds
Lonely Planet | July 2020

The Tower of London could lose its iconic Beefeaters
Lonely Planet | June 2020

New 'ultra rapid' train network could be part of Europe's post-pandemic recovery
Lonely Planet | June 2020

Idyllic Maldives set to reopen to international travelers
Lonely Planet | June 2020

Uzbekistan is offering visitors compensation if they catch COVID-19
Lonely Planet | June 2020

Egypt is welcoming back travellers in July - but only at some hotels
Lonely Planet | June 2020

Estonia is launching a digital nomad visa
Lonely Planet | June 2020

Why Prague is looking for a 'different type of visitor' after lockdown
Lonely Planet | June 2020

Tunisia is reopening to international tourists this month
Lonely Planet | June 2020

Thailand might close its national parks regularly to protect wildlife
Lonely Planet | June 2020

A Road Trip Through Tunisia’s Remote Interior
World Nomads | May 2020

Tour operators on New Zealand's Stewart Island offer pay-what-you-like adventures
Lonely Planet | May 2020

Qatar Airways launches unlimited flight change policy
Lonely Planet | May 2020

Copenhagen's famed Noma restaurant will reopen as a burger and wine bar
Lonely Planet | May 2020

What it’s like to be a digital nomad during the coronavirus
Lonely Planet | March 2020

Algeria set to open its doors to tourists with new visa system
Lonely Planet | March 2020

Direct flights from the Faroe Islands to London
Lonely Planet | March 2020

Beatles' Abbey Road crossing repainted during London lockdown
Lonely Planet | March 2020

EgyptAir launches new flights between Sharm El Sheikh and Luxor
Lonely Planet | March 2020

An incredible Zaha Hadid-designed hotel set to open in Dubai
Lonely Planet | February 2020

This Serengeti safari camp is opening a solar-powered microbrewery
Lonely Planet | January 2020

European train journeys that are even faster than flying
Lonely Planet | January 2020

Historic Hijaz railway could reopen as a park in Jordan’s capital
Lonely Planet | January 2020

The 7 Best Hotels in Jeddah
Culture Trip | January 2020

Tunisia sees tourism boost as another big airline returns
Lonely Planet | January 2020

UAE launches new tourist visa allowing visitors to stay for up to five years
Lonely Planet | January 2020

The Grand Egyptian Museum will finally open at the end of 2020
Lonely Planet | January 2020


2019

Why Tangier should be your first port of call in Morocco
Lonely Planet | December 2019

The Best Shisha Cafés in Jeddah
Culture Trip | December 2019

Kansas City votes for free public transport
Lonely Planet | December 2019

Stick to the main roads with this new CityMapper option
Lonely Planet | December 2019

New report reveals cities with highest tourist-to-local ratio
Lonely Planet | December 2019

Fodor's Go List 2020: Ras Al Khaimah
Fodor's | November 2019

Famous old Mayfair church is London's newest food hall
Lonely Planet | November 2019

An explorer’s guide to Carthage’s ancient ruins
Lonely Planet | November 2019

Ancient Rome: the best places to embrace it (in Tunisia)
Lonely Planet | November 2019

Coachella Valley art exhibition heads from the California desert to Saudi Arabia
Lonely Planet | November 2019

Unmissable Boat Tours in Dubai
Culture Trip | October 2019

Egyptian archaeologists uncover huge trove of ancient coffins
Lonely Planet | October 2019

The magic of Madain Saleh: a journey back in time in Saudi Arabia
Lonely Planet | October 2019

[ARCHIVED] Unmissable attractions of Saudi Arabia, open for the first time to tourists
Lonely Planet | October 2019

A first-timer's guide to Bonfire Night in Lewes, England
Lonely Planet | October 2019

Saudi Arabia launches e-visas for tourists for the first time
Lonely Planet | September 2019

Saudi Arabia visas: Everything you need to know about visiting as a tourist
The Independent | September 2019

Jordan's Best Historical Sites: How to explore Jordan's archaeological highlights
Horizon Guides | August 2019

How to visit Petra: Exploring the jewel of Jordan
Horizon Guides | August 2019

How to visit Wadi Rum: Exploring Jordan's desert wonderland
Horizon Guides | August 2019

Jordan sights beyond Petra and Wadi Rum
Horizon Guides | August 2019

The Beatles in Liverpool: A Fab Four fan’s guide
Lonely Planet | July 2019

How to be a responsible traveller in Petra, Jordan
Lonely Planet | June 2019

Eight unmissable adventures in Jordan
Lonely Planet | June 2019

In search of silence in Sharjah, the UAE's up-and-coming emirate
Lonely Planet | March 2019

Go behind the gates of Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace for the first time
Lonely Planet | March 2019

Brand new long-distance hiking trail opens in Egypt
Lonely Planet | March 2019

Where to experience authentic Dubai
Lonely Planet | February 2019

Cairo named the cheapest city in the world for a short break
Lonely Planet | February 2019

Dubai’s public transport system now connects to Muscat in Oman
Lonely Planet | February 2019

It's about to get easier to visit Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza with the opening of a new airport
Lonely Planet | February 2019


2018

Seven reasons why now is the time to return to Tunisia
Lonely Planet | July 2018

A global spread: our unforgettable shared foodie experiences
Lonely Planet | July 2018

Just back from: Tunisia
Lonely Planet | July 2018

Take a virtual ride on the UAE's record-breaking zipline in the middle of London
Lonely Planet | July 2018

Secrets of southern Egypt's tombs and temples
Lonely Planet | February 2018


2017

Where to get your adrenaline rush in Ras Al Khaimah
Lonely Planet | March 2017


2015

The Heartland’s best hits: top Kansas sights along I-70
Lonely Planet | January 2015


Interviews & Media Appearances