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
Yakima Skybox 16 Carbonite Review: Is It Really Worth It?
When you road trip around Australia with two kids, it’s amazing how much luggage you need. We knew we needed to invest in a Skybox – a cargo box that attaches to the top of […]
Pros & Cons Of Living As An Expat In Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country where adventure and affordability collide, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a new chapter in their lives. With breathtaking natural scenery, stunning coastlines, and a culture that beckons […]
The Pros And Cons Of Visiting Guatemala (Or Becoming An Expat)
Guatemala is known for many things; volcanoes, the ancient citadel of Tikal, a modestly warm climate and colonial architecture of Antigua. It also boasts a low cost of living, which attracts many expats to Guatemala […]
How To Choose A Spanish School In Guatemala
For those who want to brush up on their Spanish skills, or even learn from scratch, the best and cheapest place to learn Spanish is Guatemala. Aside from hiking volcanoes and relaxing on the shores […]
19 NYC Travel Tips: Things To Know Before You Go!
One of our fondest travel memories was spending Christmas in New York City back in 2003. We spent 10 days in the city back then, and we loved it so much, we’ve visited several times […]
An Exciting Stay At Great Wolf Lodge, Bloomington, Minnesota [Review]
Our girls were so excited to stay at Great Wolf Lodge in Minnesota they were counting down the minutes on the GPS until we arrived. The Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota in Bloomington is well known […]
18 Ideas For What to Do in Orlando, Florida
When you think of Orlando in Florida, your mind has probably conjured up images of the Disney Castle. And while the city is known for its theme parks, they are not the only things to […]
The Ultimate 10 Day Peru Itinerary
Who says travel to amazing places, such as Peru, is only for the people that are willing to quit their jobs just to get the time? Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need […]
16 Exciting Things To Do In Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most enchanting countries in the world. Famous for its active volcanoes, adventurous activities, unique wildlife and jaw dropping nature, you can be sure to find plenty of things to […]
Experiencing A Helicopter Ride Over the Whitsunday Islands
Before I visited the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, I had conjured up images of sailing from island to island (74 in total), whilst sipping on cold beers and eating the freshest seafood imaginable. Never had […]
14 Awesome Things to Do in Mudgee NSW
We love rural, small towns for their laid-back lifestyle and warm hospitality. Australia is not short of them, too. Despite being a small town, there are plenty of things to do in Mudgee, New South […]
Visiting Cueva del Esplendor on Horseback From Jardin, Colombia
One of the top attractions in Columbia is the Cueva del Esplendor, a unique natural landmark where a waterfall cascades through an opening in the ground, into the dark abyss of a cave. Most people […]