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

Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen & Bar Review: a taste of Mediterranean Bliss

By Caroline Makepeace / June 10, 2024

When it comes to Greek restaurants in Raleigh, there are none that match the quality, service, and ambiance of Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen and Bar in Glenwood South Raleigh. Having visited the Greek Islands many times in my 20+ years of travel, it’s hard to find a restaurant that takes me back to my days

Date Night at Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern Review

By Caroline Makepeace / June 10, 2024

If you have an upcoming special occasion or you’re looking for a romantic dinner location, then consider a meal at The Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern, an exquisite fine dining experience in Raleigh. Craig and I finally made it to the Second Empire Restaurant for a date night, and have placed it as high on

Hiking the Loblolly Trail (+ Reedy Creek Trail loop) in Umstead State Park

By Caroline Makepeace / May 26, 2024

When you need to get out of the city and enjoy some peace and tranquility in the forest, then it’s time to hike the Loblolly Trail in Umstead State Park. This 6.4-mile hiking trail in Raleigh is a hidden gem, and one of the best trails in the park to experience its diverse landscape and

Is Raleigh Worth Visiting? Yes! Here’s Why…

By Caroline Makepeace / May 26, 2024

Although Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina, it’s far from your ordinary metropolis city. One of the questions we get asked a lot on our travels is; is Raleigh worth visiting? Well, we moved here after more than 20 years of travel, so there must have been an appeal, right? For us, Raleigh

Escape to Romance: A Couple’s Getaway in the NC Brunswick Islands

By Caroline Makepeace / May 21, 2024

Are you and your partner in dire need of a couple’s romantic retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life or parenting? Just a stone’s throw away from Raleigh are the tranquil shores of the North Carolina Brunswick Islands, where Craig and I recently visited on a couple’s getaway in partnership with The

Our Experience Staying at The Inn On Biltmore Estate, Asheville [Review]

By Caroline Makepeace / May 20, 2024

Ever fancied staying in a stately home? Staying at the Inn on Biltmore Estate is certainly a way to indulge on a vacation. The Biltmore Estate is where you’ll find America’s largest home, and certainly the most opulent. This was George and Edith Vanderbilt’s luxurious family home and is now owned and managed by their

Ultimate Guide to Carowinds Amusement Park: The Best Rides Revealed!

By Caroline Makepeace / May 17, 2024

Raleigh doesn’t have big theme parks, but fortunately it’s only three hours away from Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte. It’s the most famous theme park in the Carolinas and dubbed one of the best theme parks in the USA. Spanning 407 acres, it’s the place to come for thrill seeking roller coasters and family-friendly rides. It features

Savor the Festival Flavors In The Crystal Coast On A Couples Getaway

By Caroline Makepeace / April 19, 2024

Dolphins swimming by during breakfast. Kayaking past wild horses before lunch. Savoring local Bites & Blues in the afternoon. Dancing to live music in the evening. Does a couple’s getaway from Raleigh get much better than The Crystal Coast? Craig and I escaped from the kids for a well-earned parent break to Beaufort and Morehead

6 of our Best of the USA are in North Carolina

By Caroline Makepeace / December 12, 2023

Let me first set the record straight. We haven’t been everywhere in the US and this list is very subjective. But it is based upon our extensive travels in the USA, not just in the past 6 years, but for many years before that. We also think, since we’ve been traveling for a large part

Discover the Benefits of a Salt Facial at Blue Water Spa (radiant + refreshed skin)

By Caroline Makepeace / October 27, 2023

Growing up in Australia, we had the luxury of having the beach and salt water on our doorstep. I think most of us could agree, a salty life is the best kind! When you live in tune with nature, there are some secrets you intuitively learn – no textbooks or intellectual discussions needed. One of

Women Rejoice: Strengthen the Pelvic Floor with Emsella (Blue Water Spa)

By Caroline Makepeace / May 13, 2023

Hello Bootcamp, burpees, and belly laughs. No more crossed legs, pads, or mad dashes to the bathroom needed. We now have Emsella – a non-invasive, easy to use machine to help us with pelvic floors that get weaker with age and traumatic events like childbirth! Anyone who has suffered from a leak, big or small,

Safe Laser Hair Removal at Blue Water Spa: Tips and Experience

By Caroline Makepeace / April 7, 2023

How have I reached my late forties and never known that laser hair removal was an effortless and painless procedure that would save me time and hassle? That’s all I could think about as I lay on the table at Blue Water Spa in North Raleigh removing my underarm hair and bikini line in less

Mom and Teen Daughter Afternoon in Downtown Raleigh (Art & Shopping)

By Caroline Makepeace / January 10, 2023

The after Christmas blues had set in and Kalyra, our teen, was feeling the cabin fever of several days cooped up inside with arctic weather conditions in Raleigh – us Aussies really felt that cold snap! After pulling from my bag of things to do with a teen in Raleigh and coming up short for

3 Day Winter Vacation to The Crystal Coast, NC (what to see and do)

By Caroline Makepeace / January 3, 2022

Winter is a time for slowness. The cooler weather and fewer sunlight hours are a beckoning to retreat, unwind, and let go. And it’s why a beach vacation on the North Carolina Coast is perfect for this time of year. It invites slow mornings with a hot cup of coffee appreciating the fresh stillness of

Blockade Runner Beach Resort, Wrightsville Beach: Ultimate Family Accommodation

By Caroline Makepeace / August 5, 2020

Time is life’s greatest luxury. When you can dedicate an hour to watch the morning sky gently rise from deep orange to rose pink over the ocean at Wrightsville Beach (from under the covers of your bed), you know you are wealthy and in the right place. This is your beach vacation stay at the

Mother’s Day in North Hills: Where to Celebrate, Spoil, and Spend Time with Mom

By Caroline Makepeace / April 17, 0026

Mother’s Day is the perfect excuse to slow down, celebrate the women who raised us, and soak up a day filled with love, laughter, and quality time. And if you’re in Raleigh, there’s no better place to do that than North Hills. Whether you’re planning a relaxing brunch, a shopping date, or a pampering session,

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