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
35 Unmissable Things to Do on O’ahu, Hawaii
They call O‘ahu “The Gathering Place,” and it certainly earns that name. Here, everyone is welcome, and it has the most social vibe of all the Hawaiian Islands. It’s where surfboards and hula skirts share […]
17 Incredible Things To Do In Bodrum, Turkey
Once a humble fishing village and now a glittering tourist destination, Bodrum is where Europeans go to escape the grey skies of back home and bask in the year-round sunshine, gaze upon whitewashed houses backed […]
19 Unmissable Things To Do In New Orleans With Kids
New Orleans is world famous for its jazz bars and nightlife, and is not the first place that you think of when you think of family vacations. I mean, how many other cities can you […]
20+ Unmissable Things To Do In Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is one of the most magical and unique cities in the world – it’s where pub doors open up to rooms of Irish folk music and laughter, where down every cobblestone lane, historic Georgian […]
Gift Ideas For Someone Going Travelling: Sentimental, Practical, Unique
Looking for gift ideas for travelers? This list of the best travel gifts includes gifts for women, kids, electronics, packing essentials and more! Written from 20 years of travel experience! We know travel essential!
26 Other-worldy places to visit in Utah
Utah is one of the most unique states, with a landscape unlike anywhere else on the planet. Known for its red, stone cathedrals, slot canyons, and deserts painted in stripes of red and gold. Most […]
17 Awesome Things To Do On K’Gari (Fraser Island)
Discovering all the incredible things to do on Fraser Island was a highlight of our road trip around Australia. Here are our top 12 highlights on this stunning Queensland island including beach driving and dingo watching!
21 Fun Things to do in Knoxville TN
The idea of visiting Knoxville first came to us in 2006 whilst chatting with some University of Tennessee grads in San Diego. It’s only taken us 11 years to finally visit but so glad we did, Knox rocks as they say, here’s why!
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 […]