CAROLINE MAKEPEACE - FOUNDER THISISRALEIGH.COM
Caroline Makepeace is the co-founder of two successful online publications: : 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.
Caroline 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 ABC Radio. In addition, YTravelBlog has been recognized by the White House… twice!
She was invited to the White House in 2014 as a top global travel influencer to attend the first travel summit. And she received a green card in 2020 for her extraordinary ability in the art of travel blogging and for her contributions to the growth of tourism in the USA.
Caroline has written two ebooks, How to Create a Travel Life you Love and 12 Steps to Sacredness to help people lean into the life they really want and create epic memories. She also created a course, “6 steps to move from Blog to Business,” to help entrepreneurs make money from their love of blogging and a 6-week online program “30 days to Money Mindfulness” to help people improve their relationship with money (and create more of it!)
Her most recent creation, in partnership with her good Entrepreneur friend, Christina is the Empowered Women’s Collective, a mindset-focused membership designed for female entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals who are ready to break free from self-doubt and limiting beliefs, take bold action, and create more success with clarity and confidence.
Caroline and Craig created an in-depth training guide on how to travel the USA for foreign teachers living in the USA, and a webinar to help Australians travel through Idaho. They are currently creating an in-depth training guide on relocating to Raleigh.
Caroline regularly speaks at conferences around the world on various topics such as global travel, family travel, social media, influencing and entrepreneurship.
She has keynoted some of the world’s biggest travel conferences like TBEX and Women’s Travel Fest. She has also presented at conferences such as Problogger, New York Times Travel Show, and the Travel and Adventure Show.
Locally in Raleigh, she has presented at the Women’s Social Club, Raleigh Women in Marketing, City Club Raleigh, The Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and keynoted at the NC Public Relations Society of America Conference.
Caroline is also a licensed real estate agent in the state of North Carolina. She partners with a high-quality, successful broker to help people relocate and settle into their new life in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is currently creating an in-depth moving to Raleigh guide.
In addition to running the blog and social brand, Caroline calls her work a personal mission to inspire and empower others to travel more and create a life they love. Her family is proof that travel can be a lifestyle!
Caroline has made travel the core focus of her life since 1997. She’s lived in 5 countries, traveled to over 60, traveled 7 years full time with her two daughters, and has been a full-time professional travel blogger since 2010 working with some of the biggest brands in the world including Lonely Planet, Airbnb, Canon, Amex, Ford, Nissan, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Globus Tours, Allianz Travel Insurance.
Locally in Raleigh, she 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.
Caroline also goes by the name of Caz Makepeace- the shortened version of Caroline (it’s an Australian thing!) Caz is the flighty Libran of the Makepeace family, bringing harmony to the family through crystals, meditation, and downward dogs (and the odd glass of wine at 5pm). It’s all about the balance, right?
ALL ARTICLES WRITTEN BY CAROLINE MAKEPEACE
How to Spend a Perfect Saturday in Carrboro, NC
It didn’t take long for me to fall hard for Carrboro, a small NC community driven town next door to Chapel Hill. There’s just something about this little town that instantly makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a place filled with old friends. It’s relaxed, unpretentious, and radiates a come-as-you-are kind of energy. The
Exploring the Old 96 District, South Carolina from Raleigh
Leaving Raleigh’s skyline in your rearview mirror, a wonderful road trip to embark on from the City of Oaks is to South Carolina’s Old 96 District. Driving a few hours south, the asphalt highway unwinds into rolling farmland, sleepy towns, and the kind of open blue skies that make you wonder why you ever bought
Cloer Family Vineyards: A Hidden Wine Tasting Gem in Apex, NC
In less than a 30-minute drive from downtown, you can be sipping a crisp Muscadine under a the shaded canopies of oak trees, staring out over the rolling green hills and grape groves, and wondering why The Triangle hasn’t been thought of as a wine region. This is Cloer Family Vineyards in Apex, the only
12 Reasons to Visit Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks (call your Soul home)
It didn’t take me long to connect to the Ocracoke Island vibe.“Gosh, I really like it here,” I said as we pulled up to our vacation rental and saw the golf cart parked in the drive, the bikes leaning against the house, and the huge property on the marsh covered in live oaks. “I like
Fun Things To Do in Raleigh With Teens or Tweens
Any parent of a teen will tell you, it’s difficult to entertain them. Mostly, they want to stay in their room listening to music, eating all the food in your house, and texting with their friends. On the odd occasion they emerge from their dark caverns, you might be on the hunt for fun things
Free Guided Walking Tour of Dorothea Dix Park: What’s It All About?
Did you know that Dorothea Dix Park used to be the site of an old psychiatric hospital? Or that it was almost turned into a shopping center? These are just a few facts we learned on our free walking tour of Dorothea Dix Park, which run every once a month in Spring and Summer. We
A Guide to Juniper Level Botanic Gardens, Raleigh: Exploring Botanical Wonders
Most people haven’t heard of the exclusive Juniper Level Botanic Gardens, a 28-acre not-for-profit garden on the outskirts of Raleigh. And why would you? Since it’s a private research garden by North Carolina State University and not open to the general public for most of the year, most people wouldn’t have heard of its existence.
Paddling The Robertson Millpond Preserve: A Hidden Gem Near Raleigh
Your first thought upon arriving at Robertson Millpond Preserve will be, “are you sure there aren’t any alligators in here?” It has the swampy, tannin-stained water like ancient sentinel vibes of the bayous down South but is just a 25-minute drive east of downtown Raleigh. Here, bald cypress trees rise out of an 85-acre natural
Waterfalls in North Carolina that look just like Bali
Picture this: you’re walking along a winding trail through a dense forest as birds squawk loudly as they fly above your head; sunlight dapples through the canopies and spreads across the floor like gold coins scattered on the earth. The air is thick with the smell of earth and rain, and you hear the sounds of
Sip on Cloud Wine at these Unmissable Vineyards & Meaderies near Raleigh!
When the warm rays of the summer sun start beating down on your skin, you wouldn’t be the only one who desires a crisp Chardonnay, a sweet Muscadine, or a succulent glass of honey mead. You could go to the store to buy a bottle, but with so many amazing wineries, vineyards, and meaderies around
11 Secluded retreats in North Carolina for a quiet escape from Raleigh
Ever dreamed about camping out under the stars with no one else around, or enjoying sitting under the shade of a maple tree in a forest with just you and Mother Earth for company? Sounds like you need a secluded retreat. Finding complete and total solace is rare these days, but these secluded retreats in
How to Gather with Friends at North Hills: Food, Fun, and Connection
If there’s one thing we love most about Raleigh’s North Hills, it’s how effortlessly it brings people together. With a year-round calendar of community events, walkable districts perfect for groups, and restaurants and bars that welcome everything from casual hangouts to private celebrations, North Hills makes gathering easy and fun. Whether you’re catching up over
Crank Arm Brewing: Crafting Community and Culture in Downtown Raleigh
If you’re feeling thirsty after a long bike ride, then you might want to peddle on down to Crank Arm Brewing in the Warehouse District. Like the spokes on the wheel, Crank Arm draws people from all around the city of Raleigh to its downtown venue, where you can surround yourself with craft beer enthusiasts
The best Moore County hiking trails: forests, lakes, and Longleaf pines
It’s never too late to enjoy the tranquil nature that surrounds the state of North Carolina. Tucked in the Sandhills of Moore County is where the forest meets the fairway, and is home to an abundance of unique trail experiences for hikers to revel in. While Pinehurst and Moore County is most synonymous for its
Coquette Brasserie, North Hills: Where we go to get our French on!
I walked in the door at Coquette Brasserie in North Hills, across the black-and-white checkered tiles, through a dining room that can only be described as Parisian, threw my jacket on the back of the leather-covered high chair, and stood at the open bay windows bordered by flowering plants. I turned to my girls and
Brunch At Gringo A Go Go: Where To Go For Unique Central Mexican Flavor
The first thing that captured my attention when we walked onto the sunny outdoor patio of Gringo A Go Go was the music. I was instantly transported back to my parents living room, sitting around listening to the crooners sing “on the street you live” and Doris Day telling me “What will be will be.”
Networking in Raleigh: A Guide for Startups, Founders, Entrepreneurs, and Professionals
Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., and with its vibrant business community and innovative spirit, it’s no surprise that startups, founders, entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals are finding it a prime location to grow their ventures. Many newcomers to Raleigh often ask the question of how I can find a job.
Tips for Buying a Home in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh’s thriving real estate market, diverse neighborhoods, and strong economy make it an excellent place to buy a home. Whether you’re relocating or looking for a new space locally, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the home-buying process in Raleigh. 1. Understand Raleigh’s Housing Market High Demand: The city of Raleigh is one of