CRAIG MAKEPEACE - FOUNDER
Craig Makepeace is a dynamic blogger, photographer, content creator, and entrepreneur, who is the co- founder of two online brands: This is Raleigh, a platform for anyone looking to explore the best of Wake County, and YTravelBlog, one of the world’s most influential travel blogs.
Craig has worked with the biggest brands in the world and has been featured by notable sites such as the Today Show, Conde Nast, and FOX Business, USA Today, Travel & Leisure, Forbes, National Geographic online and My Carolina CBS17. In addition, Y Travel Blog has received a Modern Ontrapreneuer award from Ontraport for “Best Online Publisher” and has been recognized by the White House… twice!
Craig was invited to the White House in 2014 as a top global travel influencer to attend the first travel summit. And he received a green card in 2020 for yTravel’s extraordinary ability in the art of travel blogging and for his contributions to the growth of tourism in the USA.
Before becoming an online entrepreneur, Craig played Professional Rugby League for six years in Sydney with the North Sydney Bears. Originally from Australia, Craig and his wife Caroline have been exploring the world together ever since they met in 2000. Together, they have visited over 56 countries and have lived in five countries.
They traveled full time with their daughters for seven years, which included an 18-month road trip around Australia and 11 months across the USA. He is an expert in family travel and running an online business from the road.
As a full time professional travel blogger since 2010, Craig has successfully worked with some of the biggest brands in the world including Lonely Planet, Airbnb, Canon, Amex, Ford, Nissan, Qantas, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Globus Tours, Allianz Travel Insurance.
Locally in Raleigh, he has worked with big brands and small businesses such as RDU- International Airport, Nextdoor, Kane Realty, Outer Banks Tourism, Blue Water Spa, and Harris Teeter.
Craig is also a fully licensed drone operator and, aside from shooting images for This is Raleigh blog and social channels, he has captured images for the Carolina Hurricanes, Ocracoke Island and Outer Bank Tourism, North Hills (Kane Realty) and more.
Craig’s passion for travel, combined with his expertise in digital marketing, has enabled him to create a successful online business that provides travel advice, inspiration, and resources to thousands of people worldwide.
Craig has presented at the Raleigh Rotary Club, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and keynoted at the NC Public Relations Society of America Conference.
In addition to running his blog and social brand, Craig calls his work a personal mission to inspire and empower others to travel more and create a life they love. He’s proof that travel can be a lifestyle, and he’s passionate about helping others achieve the same level of freedom and fulfillment.
Craig first moved to Raleigh in 2004 and fell in love with the City of Oaks. He’s a travel addict, sports fanatic, beach lover, and passionate craft beer drinker.
ALL ARTICLES WRITTEN BY Craig Makepeace
15 Best Things To Do In Brisbane, Queensland [2026 Update]
Despite being a stopping point for exploring other parts of Queensland, there are actually a lot of things to do in Brisbane, so don’t make it your jumping-off point. Brisbane is the third largest city […]
8 Exciting things to do in Freycinet National Park, Tasmania [2026 Update]
When it comes to finding unspoiled and breathtaking nature in Tasmania, you won’t find anywhere more beautiful than Freycinet National Park. Despite being a national park, there are plenty of things to do in Freycinet […]
15 Best Things to Do in Coffs Harbour NSW [2026 Update]
If you’re planning a visit to Coffs Harbour, you’re probably heading there to visit the beaches and grab a selfie with the Big Banana monument. But there are plenty more things to do in Coffs […]
19 Awesome Things To Do In Vancouver [2026 Update]
Vancouver is well known for its stunning natural beauty, whale watching and wildlife encounters, and vibrant cosmopolitan city vibes. Its proximity to the North Shore Mountains makes it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, while city dwellers […]
17 Best Places To Celebrate Easter Around The World
Easter is one of the biggest Christian holidays of the year and is widely celebrated all over the world. For anyone looking to celebrate this Holy holiday, you might be wondering where in the world […]
30+ Best Hotels in NYC: Accommodation From Budget to Luxury [2026 Update]
The best New York City accommodation from budget to luxury, from hotels to apartments. I’ve done the research for you to save you time figuring out where to stay in New York!
The Best Family Travel Resources, Websites & Apps [2026 Update]
When it’s time to start planning a trip, finding the best deals and discounts is not an easy task, especially with the amount of travel resources out there. As long-term travelers as a family, we’ve […]
17 Incredible Things To Do In Bodrum, Turkey [2026 Update]
Once a humble fishing village and now a glittering tourist destination, Bodrum is where Europeans go to escape the grey skies of back home and bask in the year-round sunshine, gaze upon whitewashed houses backed […]
First-Timer’s Guide to Watching the New York Liberty Play in Brooklyn
The main reason for our recent 3-night getaway to New York City was because my 14-year-old daughter Savannah is a die-hard WNBA fan. And when the New York Liberty schedule lined up with a game […]
8 Best NYC food tours for a taste of the Big Apple [2026 Update]
New York City is well-known for its culinary scene. From world-class restaurants to $1 hot dogs from street carts, everyone knows that New Yorkers love food. But for tourists visiting the city, it can be […]
18 Awesome things to do in Santiago, Chile [2026 Update]
Santiago is a large city with a laid-back atmosphere. It’s surrounded by the gorgeous Andes Mountains and is your gateway to wine regions, Patagonia, and even Easter Island. But don’t just use Santiago as a […]
19 Ideas for what to do in Cairo, Egypt [2026 Update]
Cairo is the bustling capital of Egypt, and it’s one of the most fascinating places on Earth. As the gateway to the Great Pyramids of Giza and home to many inspiring museums, it’s no wonder […]