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
Things to know before visiting WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary [The First Horizon Stadium]
If you’re planning to cheer on NC Courage, the state’s beloved female professional soccer team who call The First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary home, then you’re going to want to keep reading! This multi-use, soccer complex is not only the home grounds for North Carolina Courage, but also hosts professional, college
iSmash Wake Forest: The Most Fun Family Therapy Session You’ll Ever Have
If you’ve ever felt like you just NEED to smash things up and let it all out, then have I got an experience for you! There is a place where you can beat up a car windshield with a sledgehammer, throw plates at a wall, and walk away with paint splattered all over you (and
Things to do on a day trip to Pine Level and Princeton, JoCo from Raleigh
Nestled less than an hour’s drive away is a rural, countryside region where life slows down — not out of laziness, but to be present. Johnston County in North Carolina is where rolling hills meet heritage small towns, where pine-filled forests back onto organic farms – which you can taste on your fork half a
Fun Getaway to Rocky Mount Mills (one hour from Raleigh)
Perhaps you’ve heard murmurings of the cool complex of breweries and restaurants at Rocky Mount Mills, an historic mill next to the Tar River about one hour’s drive from Raleigh? We certainly did and our curiosity was piqued. It sounded like a fun place to check out, especially since it’s so close to Raleigh! We
18 Fun Things to do on Ocracoke Island (OBX at its best)
For a small island that’s only 16-miles long, it’s surprising how many cool things to do are on Ocracoke Island. Despite being packed with attractions, it still has that slow living pace you’re craving! Ocracoke Island is a good 5-hour journey from our home in Raleigh, so whenever we visit, we stay for a few
A Taste of Italy at Giorgio Pizza Bar, North Hills
As a gluten-free eater, I thought my pizza-eating days were long gone, until I discovered Giorgio’s Pizza Bar in North Hills, Raleigh. As someone who has had many trips to Italy, both in my budget backpacker days before children and years later when they’ve all grown up, and I still remember the cheap margherita pizza
Camping at Thousand Trails Lake Gaston RV Park: A Lakeside Resort for lazy days!
Bridging the border between North Carolina and Virginia, Lake Gaston isn’t just a blue blob on the map — it’s where nature flirts with nostalgia and where you can have as much or as little adventure as you like. Whether you’re plan is to take the boat out on the water, or swing in a
A Historic Mordecai House Tour in Raleigh: The local history you need to know
It’s important to learn from Raleigh’s past so we can create a better future. This was the overall message I left with after visiting Mordecai House within The Mordecai Historic Park, in northeast downtown Raleigh. This former plantation home of Mordecai House used to have uninterrupted views of Raleigh downtown. You could look right back at
Hiking the EASY Pott’s Branch Trail, Umstead State Park
Lurking beneath the emerald folds of Umstead State Park, the Pott’s Branch Trail is more than just a walk in the woods, it’s a chance to explore nature’s quieter side. On this short, 1.6 mile loop trail, you can gently meander around babbling brooks, stroll past moss-covered stones, and feel the gentle breeze through the
Burger Village, Raleigh: Organic, Grass Fed, & Exotic Burgers!
The longer I sat in the Burger Village restaurant in downtown Raleigh the more I liked it; the signs on the wall stating farm to fork, pasture raised and grass-fed – yes, this is my kind of place. Craig and I try to eat as clean and as healthy as possible. We cut back on
Hiking the Company Mill Trail, Umstead State Park
It’s easy to see why the 5.8-mile loop Company Mill Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Umstead State Park. While it is one of the longer trails in Umstead, hikers love it for its diversity in landscapes and beautiful colors during fall season. This trail is one where I’ve felt the
The Kindred Spirit Mailbox hike on Bird Island, NC (A heartwarming adventure)
One of the things I love about North Carolina is it’s full of love. There’s no finer example of this, than a hidden treasure tucked at the tail end of a dune-backed beach on Bird Island. Over 35 years ago, Frank Nesmith was strolling along the beach when he found Claudia Sailor struggling to put
From Raleigh to Daytona Beach (in under 2 hours): An Easy-Breezy Weekend Getaway
In 2005, Craig and I made a quick stop in Daytona Beach during a road trip and left thinking, “Wait…we really liked that?” It surprised us in the best kind of way. Fast forward nearly 20 years, and we decided to go back — this time flying directly from RDU to Daytona Beach International Airport
How to Ride the Bus in Raleigh (And Why You’ll Want To)
If you’ve ever skipped visiting downtown Raleigh or planning a fun local outing just to avoid the stress of traffic and parking, you’re not alone. We hear it all the time, and honestly, we’ve felt the same way too. Before moving to Raleigh, we lived in places like Bangkok, London, Sydney, and Dublin where public
Eat Your Way Around the World: International Dining on Hillsborough Street
You don’t need a passport to taste bold global flavors—just take a walk down Hillsborough Street. From dumplings to gyros, tacos to tandoori, this vibrant Raleigh corridor is a culinary melting pot serving up authentic dishes from around the world. Whether you’re grabbing lunch between classes, meeting friends for dinner, or planning a weekend food
36 Hours in Halifax County, NC: From Small-Town Surprises to Scenic River Views
You may not have heard of the town of Littleton or Halifax County in northeastern North Carolina but trust us when we say it’s time to add this hidden gem to your weekend getaway radar! Craig and I recently escaped Raleigh for a weekend getaway in partnership with Visit Halifax County and enjoyed a surprising
15 Mouth-Watering North Hills Restaurants You Must Try!
Wow. The restaurant scene in North Hills sure does not disappoint. This trendy district, located just five miles north of downtown Raleigh, is well known for its shopping, entertainment, and events, but it’s also a go-to place to sample some of Raleigh’s best culinary delights. It’s not just North Carolinian and Southern cuisine you find
Why The Umstead Hotel and Spa is Raleigh’s Top Escape [Review]
Looking for a luxurious getaway without leaving the Triangle? You don’t have to board a plane or drive to the mountains to find it. Just off the I-40 interstate in Cary, hidden behind a veil of trees, is Raleigh’s most elegant secret: The Umstead Hotel and Spa. The Umstead has been recognized by AAA as a