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
The 11 BEST Travel Suitcases For Long-Haul Travel
Every traveler must embark on the same quest before they set foot on a plane – the quest to find the perfect suitcase. It’s a rite of passage for any traveler, but the good thing […]
Sun, Surf, and Serenity: Discover WA’s Most Stunning Beaches
In Western Australia, beaches stretch like sun-kissed symphonies, where every note plays the most beautiful sound. From coral-cradled coves to wind-whipped shores tucked below craggy red cliffs, to balmy bays and secluded stretches where the […]
10 Beautiful Towns in Vermont To Visit For The Best Of New England
Vermont is renown for being exceptionally beautiful and quaint. The rural and rugged charm of its verdant landscape, and enchanting small New England towns with their close-knit communities and old-world Victorian architecture, truly echo why it […]
15 Unmissable Things to do in Armidale NSW
Although a small town, Armidale in Northern New South Wales has a ton to offer. It’s a university town located in the picturesque New England region, and has a laid-back, youthful vibe. It has lots […]
16 Unmissable Places to visit in Bolivia, South America
Home to the highest capital city in the world, the largest salt flats in the world, craggy snow-capped mountains, dense Amazon jungles, glistening alpine lakes, and everything else in between, Bolivia is not just a […]
14 Fun Things to do in Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk Gorge), Northern Territory
One of the highlights of trip to the Northern Territory was taking in the splendor of Katherine Gorge, otherwise known as Nitmiluk Gorge by its traditional owners. Located in Nitmiluk National Park, this mighty gorge […]
17 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is a land full of vineyard-streaked hills, small towns with cobbled lanes, balmy beaches, and centuries-old romantic history. It’s where the setting sun simmers with golden light over cypress-spiked ridges, olive groves, and terracotta […]
16 Best Hotels Near Disneyland, CA (From Budget To Luxury)
Visiting Disneyland Anaheim in sunny California is a bucket list experience for many families. It’s packed with nostalgia, since it’s the first ever Disneyland theme park to open back in 1955, and is famous for […]
50+ Incredible Things To Do In Queensland, Aus
Queensland is full of surprises. It’s known for its abundance of nature, pristine beaches, tropical islands, and being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. If you’re looking for things to do in Queensland to […]
The Ultimate Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip Itinerary
The iconic road trip from Sydney to Brisbane, known as the Legendary Pacific Coast, is one of Australia’s best road trips. Stretching 900 kms along the east coast of Australia, also known as the Pacific […]
17 Unmissable Things to Do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh is a city that’s steeped in history and culture, with incredible food, stunning architecture, and bustling markets. Despite being relatively small in size, there are plenty of things to do in Phnom Penh, […]
15 Best Places to Visit in New South Wales, Australia
Growing up outside Sydney, I thought I had seen all the best places to visit in New South Wales. It wasn’t until our 18-month road trip around Australia that we truly discovered our home state. […]