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
How To Travel More In Your Local Area
One of the biggest pieces of advice we give to those wanting to travel more but don’t have the funds for a big trip, is to simply travel in your own backyard. Traveling in your […]
18 Unmissable Things to Do in Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington travel tips on what to do in Wellington from an insiders perspective.
23 Unmissable Things To Do On New Zealand’s North Island
New Zealand’s North Island, also known as Te Ika-a-Māui and Te Waipounamu, is where you’ll find the country’s capital city, Wellington, as well as some of the country’s most beautiful nature sites. It’s the largest of […]
22 Fun Things to Do in Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch is the gateway to New Zealand’s South Island and is well known for its spectacular scenery, food scene, and art scene. The city was hit by a major earthquake in 2011, reaching a magnitude […]
14 Best Things To Do In Antarctica To Do On Your Expedition
If ever given the chance to visit the seventh and arguably the most enchanting continent of Antarctica, take it!
15 Tips for Planning The Perfect Trip To Anywhere (step-by-step guide)
Planning a trip, especially if you’ve never traveled before, need not be stressful. Yes, there is a lot to organize and yes, you do need to think carefully about a few things, but it can […]
White Water Rafting the Tongariro River in Taupo, New Zealand
“White water rafting in New Zealand….Are you kidding me?…It will be freezing!” was my initial reaction when Caz told me the itinerary for our trip to the land of the Kiwis. White water rafting on […]
The 8 Best Compact Cameras For Travel In 2024
If you are looking to find the best compact camera for traveling, then you’ve likely discovered there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of options to choose from. We know that the process of finding the best […]
The Working Holiday Australia Visa: All You Need To Know
The Working Holiday Visa for Australia is a great option for young people wanting to travel around Australia while still earning a buck. The WHV Australia program, is suitable for international visitors under the age […]
18 Towns in Tasmania You Must Visit This Year
If you’re planning to visit to Tassie and have your list of nature attractions complete, then it might be time to add some quaint towns in Tasmania to your list, too. It’s a unique part […]
How To Travel In Australia On A Budget
Traveling on a budget in Australia? Yep. We show you how it’s possible. Don’t miss these ways to save.
The 15 BEST Restaurants In Tasmania You Need To Try
I wasn’t expecting Tasmania to be such a foodies paradise. I knew it had the cleanest air in Australia, an abundance of native wildlife, and unspoiled scenery, but nothing prepared me for the restaurants in […]