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
11 Best BBQ Spots on the Gold Coast
Is there a better wafting smell than onions, bacon or your favourite meat sizzling away on a barbecue? And is there anything more Australian than throwing a few sausages on the barbie amongst family and […]
Read More5 of the Best Gold Coast Playgrounds
There’s no shortage of playgrounds on the Gold Coast with almost every beach and green space having something to offer. The people on the Goldy love their outdoors lifestyle and it’s great the local council […]
Read MoreA weekend Getaway to the Bunya Mountains, Queensland (Hidden gem)
Queensland is full of surprises. The more we explore our newly adopted state the more diverse we discover it is and the more excited we get about living here. You probably already know that its […]
Read MoreIs Esperance, WA Worth a Visit? My answer might surprise you!
I hate to say this, and I never thought I would be saying this, and I’ll probably cop some flack for this post, but I wouldn’t hurry back to Esperance in Western Australia. And that […]
Read More13 Ways Easter is Celebrated Around the World
Can you believe Easter is almost upon us? Where has the beginning of 2017 gone, didn’t we just have Christmas?! With less than two weeks until Easter Sunday, our kids certainly don’t hold back in […]
Read More7 Reasons to Honeymoon in South Africa
South Africa is the perfect destination for honeymooners – stunning beaches, natural beauty, and great wine. Why wouldn’t you honeymoon in South Africa?
Read MoreHow to spend 48 Hours in Washington DC (best things to see and do)
Our trip to visit Washington DC came as a complete surprise. I don’t think you could get a bigger detour from our road trip around Australia than to be invited to attend an event at […]
Read More16 Ways To Earn More Money For Travel
We know from all the emails we get from our readers that “lack of money” is one of the biggest things holding you back from having more travel in your life. If you want to […]
Read MoreWhat’s In Our Camera Bag? – 4 Canon Lenses We Use
If there’s one aspect of our blogging we’ve wanted to take to a higher level over the years it’s definitely our travel photography. Being a travel blogger photos play a huge role in what we […]
Read More5 tips to enjoy the Fiji Islands with kids
My lovely friend and old Kidspot editor, Bron from Maxabella, is sharing with us a post today on her recent family holiday to the Fiji Islands. Deciding whether to ‘go island’ or stay on the […]
Read More5 Travel Photography Tips from a National Geographic Photographer
Award-winning, global travel photographer Susan Seubert has agreed to give us a few preparation photography tips for taking beautiful photos while traveling the world. Susan is a National Geographic Photography Expert and in addition to […]
Read MoreHow to Access Money When Traveling Overseas
Remember travellers cheques? It’s hard to believe but back in the day if you wanted to access money whilst traveling overseas, many of us resorted to carrying around a bulky packet of travellers cheques. How […]
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