Craig Makepeace - Founder
Craig Makepeace is a dynamic blogger, photographer, content creator, and entrepreneur, who is the 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, YTravelBlog 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 and Outer Bank Tourisms, 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
Why Lake Johnson Is Our Favorite Lake In Raleigh (Walk, Kayak, Relax)
Our first apartment in Raleigh was right on Lake Johnson Park in an apartment complex, and so for us this place holds special memories. We spent so many times walking around the lake that I feel like I know every turn in the path, every tree, every crack in the pavement and every rooted stump
Why We Fell In Love With Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing
What’s better than great beer and food? How about great beer and food with an incredible view of downtown Raleigh thrown in! This is just one of the reasons why we love Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing in Boylan Heights. We remember the first time we visited this brewery six years ago when it was
Guide To Hiking the 7 Mile Sycamore Trail: Umstead State Park, Raleigh
When you want to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Raleigh, you need only drive 15-minutes before you reach the natural oasis of William B Umstead State Park, a jewel in the heart of the Triangle region. The park is made up of 20-miles of hiking trails through lush woodlands, man-made lakes, and glistening
What Food Is Raleigh Known For (& Where To Find It!)
One of the best ways to get a real sense for a place is through its food, and Raleigh is a city that will ignite your taste buds and send you to culinary heaven! Many people ask us what food Raleigh is famous for, and the truth is there is a list! Most commonly, people
33 Reasons We Love Living In Raleigh, NC (America’s Best Kept Secret)
Why do we love living in Raleigh, North Carolina? That’s a good question, and there’s more than one answer. We weren’t born in Raleigh, we actually decided to move here back in 2004 because we fell in love with the city; its greenery, thriving craft beer scene, close proximity to nature, and welcoming community and
Guide to the City of Raleigh, NC (everything you need to know!)
Since first moving to the City of Raleigh in 2004 and starting this website in 2020, we’ve experienced almost everything there is to do in and around the city, and if you’re planning a trip to Raleigh (or even thinking of moving here), this city guide is for you! Take it from us, Raleigh is
Home Update: New Lights & Fans from Butler Lighting
We finally got to realize our dream of being homeowners in the Raleigh area in 2021. A dream that started in 2004 and has seen us navigate various business visas before being awarded Green Cards in 2020, allowing us to live here permanently and get home financing! If you’ve been following us for a while,
Podcast 36: Looking for Raleigh Real Estate Agents? We can help!
In this episode we talk about Raleigh real estate agents and how we can connect you to awesome realtors in the Triangle area, how we can connect you with a great mortgage broker to finance your home, plus experts in all areas of moving to Raleigh! LISTEN NOW: WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT: RESOURCES & Links:
Q&A with Tim McLoughlin, Partner at Cofounders Capital
Today we chat with Tim McLoughlin, partner at Cofounders Capital. This Q&A is a part of our series called interviews with locals where we interview local Raleigh thought leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners to share their story with our community. Where did you grow up and go to school? How long have you lived in
Q&A with Dave Rose, CEO of Deep South Entertainment
Today we chat with Dave Rose, President and CEO of Deep South Entertainment. This Q&A is a part of our series called interviews with locals where we interview local Raleigh thought leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners to share their story with our community. Where did you grow up and go to high school? How long
Q&A with Jenny Hammond, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at NC State University’s Poole College of Management
Today we chat with Jenny Hammond, the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at NC State University’s Poole College of Management. This Q&A is a part of our series called interviews with locals where we interview local Raleigh thought leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners to share their story with our community. Where did you grow up
Ep 12: Our Experiences Buying a house in Raleigh
Nerve-wracking. Frustrating. Limited. Three words to describe our experiences buying a house in Raleigh. But, it’s been a dream of ours since we first arrived in Raleigh in 2004 and felt like we arrived home, so we were determined to make it happen. As Australians with limited permanent resident opportunities, it was quite the arduous
Q&A with Jason Gillikin, Founder of Earfluence Media
Today we chat with Jason Gillikin, the Founder and CEO of Earfluence Media. This Q&A is a part of our series called interviews with locals where we interview local Raleigh business owners and entrepreneurs to share their story with our community. Where did you grow up and go to high school? How long have you
Q&A with Lindsay Rice, Owner of Vita Vite Raleigh
Today we chat with Lindsay Rice, owner of Vita Vite Raleigh. This Q&A is a part of our series called interviews with locals where we interview local Raleigh business owners and entrepreneurs to share their story with our community. Where did you grow up and go to school? How long have you lived in Raleigh?
Q&A with Michael Garcia, General Manager for Taverna Agora
Today we chat with Michael Garcia, the General Manager for Taverna Agora Kitchen & Bar in downtown Raleigh. This Q&A is a part of our series called interviews with locals where we interview local Raleigh business owners and entrepreneurs to share their story with our community. Where did you grow up and go to school?
Q&A with Elyssa & Dave Nastalski, Founders of Dogwood Country Club
Today we chat with Elyssa & Dave Nastalski, founders of Dogwood County Club in downtown Raleigh. This Q&A is a part of our series called interviews with locals where we interview local Raleigh business owners and entrepreneurs to share their story with our community. Where did you grow up and go to school? How long
Q&A with Amanda & Matt Allen, Owners of Pelagic Beer & Wine
Today we chat with Amanda & Matt Allen, owners of Pelagic Beer & Wine in downtown Raleigh. This Q&A is a part of our series called interviews with locals where we interview local Raleigh business owners and entrepreneurs to share their story with our community. Where did you grow up and go to school? How
Q&A with Sara Coleman Fitzpatrick, owner of The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery
Today we chat with Sara Coleman Fitzpatrick, owner of The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery in downtown Raleigh. This Q&A is a part of our series called interviews with locals where we interview local Raleigh business owners and entrepreneurs to share their story with our community. Where did you grow up and go to school? How long