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
What to Do in Antalya, Turkey
Looking for tips on what to do in Antalya, Turkey? As part of our city guides series, we interviewed Ellen Rabiner who has lived in Antalya for over two years. Ellen shares with us her insider […]
Read More21 Travel Tips to ensure your overland tour is TOPS
21 Travel Tips to ensure your overland tour is TOPS is a guest post by Johanna Castro from ZigaZag Mag Pack light! You must be joking. I don’t know about you, but I’m normally an […]
Read MoreWhat to Do in Chicago (A Locals Guide to Eat, Drink, Stay, Explore)
Looking for travel tips on what to do in Chicago? As part of our city guides series, we interviewed local girl Lisa Lubin who moved to Chicago in 1998 because she accepted a job as a producer with […]
Read More6 Day Photo Safari with the Canon EOS 650D
There’s nothing like the eyes of a croc rising from the murky water, its gaze fixated on you as it sits and waits for that one opportunity for you to make a mistake and fall […]
Read MoreTeaching English Overseas: How Finding Your Own Students Can Really Pay Off
It can be tough when you have just qualified as an English teacher. You’re full of enthusiasm and desperate to get going, but then you spend weeks or months applying for jobs around the world […]
Read More14 Places to Eat in Sydney
Are you looking for tips on places to eat in Sydney? We touch on eight different neighbourhoods with a specific focus on 14 restaurants in Sydney we have personally enjoyed eating at. Potts Point Potts […]
Read MoreExpat Living: 5 things to do in Japan
Whether you are living in Japan or travelling through; teaching, learning, or a bit of both, there are some experiences that are so totally Japanese that you just couldn’t get them anywhere else. By no […]
Read More22 Reasons to Cruise on Carnival Spirit
How many reasons do YOU need to go on a cruise with Carnival Spirit? Well, when you’re on a ship that’s nearly the length of three football fields and 12 decks tall of things to […]
Read MoreWhat to Do in Pittsburgh, PA From A Local
Looking for travel tips on what to do in Pittsburgh? As part of our City Guides series, we interviewed Jeremy and Angie who have been living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a total of four years. Jeremy […]
Read MoreWorking Holidays Around The World – Getting Started Guide
Explaining working holidays around the world, how you can get your working holiday visa and why you should consider this style of world travel
Read MoreVisit the Bellingen Markets on Your Next Road Trip from Sydney to Brisbane
Have you heard of Bellingen? It’s a cool little town located halfway between Sydney and Brisbane in the Coffs Harbour region. Bellingen is set in the valley just a 30 minute drive in from Coffs […]
Read MoreMargaret River – You Had Me At Food, Wine, and Beer
Margaret River is many things, and there is something there for everyone… Being a lover of wine, beer, and food I was extremely excited that a visit to the world famous Margaret River Region in […]
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