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
Top 19 Places To Visit in the North Carolina Mountains (Western NC)
Now that we live permanently in Raleigh, we’re constantly on the look out for places to explore in our own Tar Heel state. We regularly take road trips with our kids and our favorite places […]
18 Unmissable Things to Do in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is one of the most evolving and passionate cities in Latin America. It has some of the most beautiful architecture, warm-hearted locals, incredible cuisine and wines, and a cultural charm that beckons you […]
2 Week Outback Queensland Itinerary: The Ultimate Road Trip
Thinking of an Outback Queensland road trip? Here is our 2-week itinerary with tips on places to visit, where to eat & drink, and where to sleep at night.
The Ultimate 6 Month Australia Road Trip Itinerary
As many of our readers know, we took off on a big Australia road trip that lasted for 18 months. While most people don’t have over a year to spend exploring one country, it’s not […]
13 Sensational Islands in Australia for Your Next Getaway
When you think of Australia, your mind might be conjuring up images of white-sand beaches, expansive Great Barrier Reef, and Aussie’s riding the best surf in the world. Australia is a huge country, but for […]
30+ Incredible Places to Visit in California To Add To Your Bucket List
There are so many beautiful places to visit in California that we could write a book on it. It’s a state that has more diversity than any other state in the United States, not just […]
Our 20 Best Travel Tips After 25+ Years of Traveling
Over the past 25+ years, Caz and I have been fortunate to have visited over 50 countries and lived in 5, and today we’re always asked what are our best travel tips – so, we’d like […]
Things To Know Before You Go To San Francisco
Are you planning to visit San Francisco for the first time and not sure what to expect? Then you’ve come to the right place. San Francisco is the thirteenth largest city in the USA and […]
How to Plan a Road Trip with Kids (& Keep Your Sanity)
We are big fans of taking road trips, they are our favorite way to travel, especially when traveling with kids! But when you have so many different age groups and interests in your family, it can […]
23 Tips For Visiting Universal Orlando Resort: Know Before You Go
Planning to visit Universal Resort Orlando but never been before? Then you’ve come to the right place, as we’ve got some of the best tips for visiting Universal Orlando Resort to make sure you make […]
12 Exciting Things To Do In Central Florida Besides Disneyland!
When you ask people what are some popular things to do in Central Florida, they will always recommend Disneyland Florida in Orlando. And of course, it’s one of the most iconic attractions you must visit, […]
The Ultimate Florida Bucket List: 17 Things To Do!
The Sunshine State of Florida is a destination that offers so much. From world-class theme parks to gorgeous scenes of nature and pristine beaches, there are so many enchanting destinations you can add to your […]