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
Where to get the best ice cream in the Triangle (13 Spots near Raleigh)
On a hot day, there is no better way to cool down than by sinking your teeth into a refreshing ice cream in Raleigh. We could enjoy an ice cream in any weather or season, and have taste tested our way around the city to find the best ice cream in the Triangle, within a
Where To Find The Best Bagels In The Triangle (9 Tasty Options Near Raleigh)
Bagels are a much-loved food item here in the City of Oaks, and the wider Triangle region for that matter. So, if you’re looking to indulge in this ring-shaped bready delight, then you’re going to want to get your pen and paper ready to write down this list of bagel shops in Raleigh and surrounding
Understanding the Wake County Public Schools System in Raleigh
If you are confused about the Wake County Public Schools System, then you’re not alone. It’s one of the largest school districts in the United States, and when it comes to picking a school for your child, often there are many different types of schools to choose from. The good news is that Wake County
Best Outdoor Photography Locations in Raleigh for Special Photoshoots [Engagement, Pregnancy, Wedding Pics]
If you’re looking to capture a perfect moment, there are many outdoor photography locations in Raleigh that can be used to frame the biggest moments and make them memorable. From engagement shoots to wedding portraits to pregnancy pictures and milestone birthdays, Raleigh has a surprising range of backdrops that make your pictures truly stand out.Â
Best Seafood Restaurants in The Triangle (17 Tasty Options near Raleigh)
Raleigh might be a good 2.5 hours’ drive from the ocean, but don’t let geography fool you into thinking it’s a city prone to poor seafood establishments. In fact, we have many wonderful seafood restaurants in Raleigh and the surrounding areas, it’s high tide we shared some of our favorites with you. We reached out
10 of the Best Downtown Raleigh Hotels (Business or Leisure)
If you’re visiting Raleigh for the first time and not sure where to stay, first timers should consider staying in a hotel in downtown to put you close to all the top attractions, award-winning restaurants, lively bars, museums, and shopping neighborhoods. Downtown Raleigh continues to evolve into this vibrant mix of districts, and staying in
A Guide to Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham (30 minutes from Raleigh)
The perfect place to jaunt on a beautiful spring day is through the gorgeous Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, which are located in the heart of the West Campus of Duke University. If you love gardens and being out in nature, they are one of the premier public gardens in the USA, and entry
Guide to Visiting Artsplosure: Raleigh’s #1 Arts Festival
Artsplosure is a vibrant annual Raleigh arts festival that takes place over two days in the month of May every year, with this year’s dates set for the 16th and 17th May, 2026. The open-air festival see the streets fill with bold canvases, live music, and the scent of local food trucks filling the warm
The Best Backdrops for Prom, Graduation, and Senior Photos
It’s the end of the school year, and it’s time to remember the occasion with a professional photograph that you can send to your grandma. For such a momentous time in your educational life, a simple selfie won’t do it justice. So, if you’re looking for a great backdrop for graduation photos in Raleigh, for somewhere
Where to Go for Mediterranean Food in Raleigh: 17 Best Restaurants Voted by Locals
The weather is warming up, which means we’ve got an appetite for meze and citrusy salads, char-grilled kebabs, and plates designed for sharing on a sun-soaked terrace. Raleigh, a city better known for barbecue and Southern comfort, has a handful of quietly delectable Mediterranean restaurants that channel the flavors of coastal villages and bustling bazaars of
12 Top Hotels Near Raleigh Airport (RDU) and RTP!
If you’re stopping over in Raleigh or just need somewhere to stay close to the airport for an early morning flight, then you might be wondering what the best hotels near Raleigh Airport (RDU) and Raleigh’s Research Triangle Park are. There’s actually a lot of hotels near RDU, ranging from budget 3-star hotels to luxury
10 Best Places to Stay near University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill
You wouldn’t think Chapel Hill was a college town when you first roll up. When I first came to explore where to stay near UNC, I expected to see the usual cluster of hotels orbiting a campus as they do in other cities, but instead, I found something far more intimate. Chapel Hill is like
19 Playgrounds and Splash Pads in Raleigh (& nearby) that kids love!
On a sweltering afternoon in Raleigh, when the humidity has made indoors feel too stuffy, and the air starts to cling to your skin, it might be time to take the kids outside to find a place to run around and cool off. On a hot summer’s day, families rush out of their homes to embrace
36 Hours in Charleston, SC: A Raleigh Local’s Weekend Guide
Okay, full transparency, we were actually in Charleston for four days. But here’s the thing about that city: you could spend four days there and still feel like you only scratched the surface. Or, if you plan it right, you could have one of the most memorable weekends of your life in 36 hours flat.
13 Essential Things to Do in Carolina Beach + Places To Eat
Carolina Beach is one of the best family-friendly beaches in North Carolina and offers a plethora of activities and things to do. Being just over a two-hour drive from Raleigh, it’s the perfect spot for a weekend away or week-long break soaking up some laid-back coastal living and much needed R&R. If this is your
17 Wonderful Parks in Raleigh, NC (To get to know Raleigh)
We are lucky to have many wonderful parks in Raleigh. Since Raleigh is such a green and nature-filled city, one of the best ways to get a real feel for the city of Raleigh is to enjoy the parks and all the recreational activities they have to offer. Raleigh is well known for being the
61 Best Things to Do in Raleigh NC
In the 12+ years we’ve lived in Raleigh, we’ve never run out of things to do. It’s a thriving city but still holds a small-town feel and is always alive with fun festivals and events, new foodie experiences, and outdoor activities. If you’re new to Raleigh, are visiting for the first time, or you’ve lived
20 Kid-Friendly Trails in The Triangle: Where to walk or bike in Raleigh
They don’t call Raleigh the City of Oaks for nothing, so if you want to get out into nature, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails in Raleigh where you can see why the city gets this namesake. Raleigh is awash with greenery. It’s one of the things we love about living in Raleigh with kids.