Contact Me
blog [at] noplacelike.it
About Lauren
US-based Travel Writer | Journalist | Tourism Consultant | Editor | Copywriter
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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.
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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.
Published in
Featured Work
Who Gets to Tell the Story of Ancient Egypt?
Smithsonian Magazine | December 2022
Read on Smithsonian MagazineWhat’s it like to travel on the longest daily-running train service in the US
National Geographic | December 2023
Read on National GeographicHegra, an Ancient City in Saudi Arabia Untouched for Millennia, Makes Its Public Debut
Smithsonian Magazine | November 2020
Read on Smithsonian MagazineBook 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
9 expert secrets for travelling in Egypt
Escape | August 2024
Go Pitch That Story with Travel Editor Lauren Keith
Travel Media Lab | August 2022
Travel Writer: Lauren Keith, Interview with Rolf Potts
Rolf Potts | August 2021
We’ll soon be able to jet off on holiday again — but will we want to?
The Times | May 2020
The Middle East and North Africa Lockdown Diaries: In Turkey with Lauren Keith
Pink Jinn | May 2020
Fears for the future of Lonely Planet – does the travel bible's adventure end here?
The Telegraph | April 2020
Friday Night Live: Saudi Arabia Travel Visas
InspireFM | October 2019
Live Interview: Saudi Arabia launches tourist visas
BBC News | September 2019
Experiencing the Migration with Bakhtiari Nomads
Iran Nomad Tours | June 2019
How Lonely Planet's guidebooks show just how far the UAE has come
The National | March 2019
Lauren Keith, Lonely Planet Destination Editor for the Middle East and North Africa
Coastless KC | March 2019
Why you need to visit Meknes in 2019 with Lonely Planet’s Lauren Keith
Why Morocco | November 2018
Tourists are coming back to Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt
The Maghreb Times | April 2018