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
The Cutest Small Towns in North Carolina to Fall in Love With
When the fast-paced, bustling life of Raleigh gets too much, you might be looking to recharge your batteries in small-town life, where the communities are close-knit, where the biggest decision you have to make is latte or Americano, and the scenic beauty is unparalleled. We’re fortunate to have some of the cutest small towns in
Everything You Need to Know About North Carolina BBQ
Just like most Southern states, North Carolina makes a big deal about its barbecue. Most people traveling to North Carolina are unaware that Carolina BBQ is unique and different from other states, both in how it’s cooked, and the ingredients used. Barbecue has often been considered a quintessential part of American culture, and here in
12 Towns in North Carolina that look just like Europe!
North Carolina is one of the oldest states in the United States, and is the place where settlers first arrived from Europe in 1492 – so it’s no surprise that there are many quaint towns in North Carolina that look just like Europe! From mountain towns that resemble the Swiss Alps to the high-country escapes
10 Top Family Vacations in North Carolina on a Budget
As we wave goodbye to the winter weather, you might be starting to think about your family vacation this year. But there’s a catch – money! We get it, we’re a family of four and have felt the financial pressures in the past, but it’s never stopped us from going on adventures. Although money is
Things to know before visiting The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop
If you’re looking for a place that supports independent music, has craft beers on tap, vintage vinyl records for sale, and a stage where local and national touring artists can entertain an intimate crowd of 289 guests – you need only go to one place. The Pour House Music Hall and Record Shop is a
From Madre to Moon Room: A Chic & Jazzy Night in Raleigh
We recently enjoyed a fantastic date night with friends, experiencing an unforgettable blend of fine dining and live jazz in Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow district right near Glenwood South. Our evening began at Madre, one of Raleigh’s most beloved dining establishments, where elegance meets warmth in an inviting atmosphere. This Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant, now approaching its
Raleigh to Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary
You know that old saying – it’s not about the destination but the journey itself? This is how I feel about a Raleigh to the Great Smoky Mountains road trip. Yes, the Smokies are one of the USA’s most famous and most visited national parks and well worth visiting, it’s a 4.5 – 5.5 hour
How to Enjoy a Weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains from Raleigh
If you’re looking to trade high-rise views for mountain peaks, then a weekend getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains from Raleigh should be on the cards! The Smokies are a peak destination to visit in North Carolina and Tennessee and are packed full of adventure, history, and unspoiled nature. Getting to the Great Smoky Mountains
Fly Away to Neverland with Cary Ballet Company’s Peter Pan Spring Works Performance
In a world brimming with screens and digital distractions, finding wholesome, enchanting entertainment for the whole family can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But fear not, nestled in the heart of Wake County lies an experience that will transcend you to a realm of timeless elegance and whimsy – the
Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel: Luxury & Convenience in Midtown [Review]
Looking for a hotel that offers high-end vibes, friendly customer service, state of the art hotel amenities and a top location in the North Hills District of Raleigh, then the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills hotel has it. This unique hotel offers both elegance and convenience, being only a 5-mile drive from downtown but within walking
Things To Know Before Visiting Raleigh Convention Center
When you think of convention centers, your mind is probably conjuring up images of tatty beige carpets paired with the sound of a faint hum caused by strip-fluorescent lighting, but this is far from the case with the Raleigh Convention Center (RCC). The RCC is a premium exhibition hall and venue in downtown Raleigh that’s
Things to know before visiting Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Whether you’re craving the toe-tapping beats of a Broadway show or the soothing sounds of a symphony orchestra, the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts is the place to go for soul-stirring music and theater. It has been the beating heart of Raleigh’s Performing Arts community for decades and offers world-class performances throughout the
Things to know before visiting the Red Hat Amphitheater
If you’ve ever walked around downtown Raleigh on a summer’s eve and heard the roars of a crowd or seen strobe lights fill the air, chances are you’re in proximity of the Red Hat Amphitheater. This popular outdoor music venue in Raleigh is known for its incredible sound system, sprawling lawns, and electrifying atmosphere. It’s
Things to know before visiting The Ritz, Raleigh
If your idea of a good night is throwing your devil horns in the air and head-banging along to some rock legends at a live music venue, then you’re going to want to check out The Ritz in Raleigh. This music venue is where some of the heaviest bands play in the city in a
Things to know before visiting Coastal Credit Union Music Park (Walnut Creek Amphitheater)
As the summer season approaches, you might be looking to spend the evening laying back on the lawns at a concert at Coastal Credit Union Music Park, also known as Walnut Creek Amphitheater. This is one of Raleigh’s premier open-air music venues and is where you will find some of the biggest artists and bands
Things To Know Before Visiting Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)
When it comes to entertainment, the Durham Performing Arts Center is the place to go. Located in the heart of downtown Durham, this is the place to catch a Broadway show, watch a stand-up comic, or see your favorite bands play. It isn’t just a stage — it’s an integral part of the community. If
How Automated Shades Changed Our Living Space with Budget Blinds
For years, our mornings and evenings started with the same frustrating routine: battling with our old horizontal blinds. We love natural light, so every new dawn I’d wrestle tangled cords, trying to pull the heavy blinds all the way to the top for a full window view. At night, it was the same exhausting process
Downtown Cary Park: The Heartbeat of Wake County’s Community Spirit
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or you’re new here, you’ve heard of the new Downtown Cary Park. Anyone I speak to in Wake County, and Cary is mentioned the park is brought up. it’s just too good not to talk about. The 7-acre Downtown Cary Park is more than just a green space—it’s