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
36 Hours in Chapel Hill: A Perfect Weekend Itinerary of Food, Fun & Local Charm
We’ve explored just about every corner of the Triangle area, but Chapel Hill always gives us new reasons to fall in love. With its perfect blend of history, art, music, food, and small-town charm – plus just enough modern flair – it never feels stale and is an easy weekend escape from Raleigh! Since our
What It’s Like to Stay at The Carolina Inn – Chapel Hill’s Iconic Hotel
It didn’t take long for us to understand why The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill is affectionately known as “the University’s living room.” And in case you don’t know, that is the University of North Carolina (UNC) – the first public university in the United States. For over 100 years, this iconic hotel has been
A Travel Guide to North Hills: Top Spots to Eat, Play, and Stay
If you’re planning a trip to Raleigh, you’re going to want to add North Hills to your list. This vibrant, walkable district feels like a city within a city with stylish hotels, top restaurants, live music events, and some of the best shopping in the region, all just minutes from downtown Raleigh. Whether you’re here for
Discovering Chapel Hill on a Free Walking Tour: Stepping Back in Time
Did you know Chapel Hill was literally built for a university? That it is home to one of the oldest public universities in the United States, and that astronauts once trained here to walk on the moon? These are just a few of the fun facts we discovered on a free walking tour of Chapel
Why Grande Shores Ocean Resort in Myrtle Beach is a worthy escape from Raleigh (less than 3-hours)
There’s something about waking up to the sound of crashing waves that instantly resets your soul. That’s exactly what we experienced during our two-night escape at Grande Shores Ocean Resort in Myrtle Beach — an easy, breezy getaway just a few hours from Raleigh. Craig and I snuck away for a much-needed beach break in
The 8 Best Sunflower Fields in Raleigh and Surrounding Triangle [U-Pick Fields & Photo Spots!]
The dial has been turned up on the summer heat and the sunflower fields in Raleigh are ready to stand to attention. I don’t think there are more beautiful flowers in the world than the sunflower, and in Raleigh, there are plenty of places to see them during their blooming month of July. Most people
Biking the American Tobacco Trail from Durham to Cary: An Epic Day Out
Looking to break free from the car-centric city of Raleigh and get out into nature? Then what better way to enjoy a car-free adventure in the Triangle region of North Carolina than bike riding along the iconic American Tobacco Trail. This scenic cycle route includes coffee, wine, and a whole lot of beautiful scenery. And
Luxurious Summer Stay at The Fearrington House Inn, Pittsboro [Honest Review]
Set amongst the rolling pastures of Pittsboro is a quaint and romantic country inn that offers 5-star luxury and an intimate ambiance. The 32-room Fearrington House Inn was our choice for a quick getaway away from the honking and sirens of downtown Raleigh. Being only 30-minutes away, it was the perfect respite, spoiling us with
4 Mexican Restaurants to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Hillsborough St
Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and Hillsborough Street is serving up all the flavor, fun, and festive vibes. Whether you’re craving tacos on a patio, margaritas with friends, or just a reason to celebrate Raleigh’s Latin-inspired culture, Hillsborough Street is a great place to be this May. And since it’s a college
👻 Haunted History in Downtown Raleigh: Our Night with the Ghosts
Last night, we traded our cozy evening routines for candlelight, cobblestone, and… ghosts? We joined the US Ghost Adventures Tour in Downtown Raleigh — not just for ghost sightings (though those were definitely on the table), but to peel back the layers of history lingering in the shadows of our city. While we didn’t spot
Why We Installed an Orca Blue Soft Water System in Our Home (And Why You Might Want to, Too)
Let me start with a confession: I never really thought much about the water coming out of our taps, or faucets as you say here in America. I just assumed it was clean enough, safe enough, and “water is water,” right? Wrong. It wasn’t until Kevin, the owner of Orca Blue, and his son came
Fun Things to Do in North Hills with Teens: A Guide for Family Fun & Chill Time
Teens can be a hard crowd to please – somewhere between the “I’m bored” and “don’t take my picture” – but North Hills in Midtown Raleigh is one of our go-to spots that gets their stamp of approval (and ours). With its walkable layout, cool vibe, and mix of shops, food, and entertainment, there’s something
Visitor’s Guide to Raleigh’s Research Triangle Park (RTP)
The expansion of Raleigh as a hub for innovation and technology continues to soar. In March 2025, Raleigh ranked second in the list of fastest-growing cities in the USA with a growth rate of 19.84%. What’s massively contributing to this expansion is Raleigh’s Research Triangle Park, a premier innovation center where companies and institutions, in
The Most Beautiful Places in North Carolina According to Locals
North Carolina is a unique state in that it has every kind of beauty you can think of – from the coast to the mountains, tucked within its borders is an immeasurable amount of beauty. From the misty Great Smoky Mountains to the quaint historic towns and the stunning Carolina coast, when it comes to
10 Underrated Destinations in North Carolina According to Locals
North Carolina has plenty of notable destinations to vacation to, but often-times these places end up being a bit of a letdown – they’re either overly touristy, crowded, or don’t measure up to the hype. Which is why we like to search for places in North Carolina that often fly under the radar. We love
Where to go for sunset in Raleigh: The best places for Golden Hour
They say the prettiest time of day is Golden Hour, when the sun’s rays disappear below the horizon and illuminate the sky in vibrant shades of pinks and oranges. The sunsets in Raleigh can be gorgeous if you’re in the right spot at the right time, therefore the beauty of the spectacle is much about
Brunch with a View at 10th & Terrace in Downtown Raleigh
Brunch is back at 10th & Terrace – and it’s even better than before! This downtown rooftop gem has officially reopened its seasonal weekend brunch, and after checking it out recently, we can confidently say: this might just be Raleigh’s most scenic brunch spot. Perched high above the city at the top of the Residence
Where To Go Stargazing Near Raleigh [The Closest Dark Skies]
Finding dark skies for stargazing in any city is no easy task – the bright lights of downtown and the floodlights of stadiums often drown out any possibility of seeing anything remotely celestial. In Raleigh, it’s no different, dark skies are not easy to come by, but that is not to say they don’t exist.