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
Guide to Nightlife in Raleigh: Best Bars, Nightclubs & Dance Spots!
Raleigh is not well known for being a nightlife hub like Atlanta, Vegas or New York, but what surprises most first-time visitors is that there are several nightclubs, bars, and speakeasies that bring the city to life after dark. Raleigh’s nightlife is varied. On any given evening, you can drift from a candlelit cocktail bar
15+ Women’s History Month Celebration Ideas in Raleigh for 2026
As a mother of two daughters, and someone who has worked hard to push against male defined ceilings to create a thriving life I love, celebrating the achievements of women and our powerful voices is very important to me. March is Women’s History Month, a month dedicated to celebrating women’s contributions to history, culture and
A Guide to The Best Events in Raleigh for March 2026
Ok Raleigh, are you ready for another fun-filled month and looking for fun things to do in Raleigh in March? Answer: Always. March this year is exciting as the magnolias are already blooming and warmish weather is here! I can see this March as a month where everyone races out of their winter hibernation ready
Where to Go Camping near Raleigh: Best Campsites and Camping Spots
Despite being a city, I am always amazed at how green and nature-filled Raleigh feels. My favorite time of day is that moment, just past sunset, when the pine forests exhale, the air cools, cicadas tune up, and the sky is filled with that Carolina pink hue that only the locals here know. I’ve lived
Best Bed & Breakfasts in The Triangle for Southern Charm & Local Hospitality
In a Southern city as charming as Raleigh, the first senses you wake up to shouldn’t be a view of stark white walls or the sound of honking. Instead, you want to wake up to soft light dappling through tall oaks, the feeling of plush bedspreads against your neck that are so soft it’s like
Egg-citing Ways to Celebrate Easter in Raleigh (2026 Guide to Hunts, Hops & Happenings!)
Easter-time in Raleigh is a egg-stra special, as it’s when the city comes alive with a hubbub of activity. The church bells ring, live music pours out onto the streets, and the squeals of children chasing pastel eggs echo across the parks and plazas. It’s a time when the sun warms up a bit, and
22 Ways to Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Raleigh, 2026
One of the best things about Raleigh in March is that it trades winter grays for startling green, the green on St Patrick’s Day. Considering we lived in Dublin for one year in 2003, St Patty’s Day has always been one of my favorite festivals of the year; it’s a day for a festive parade,
Extended Stay Hotels in Raleigh: The Best Long-Term Stays in the City of Oaks
So many people are surprised by Raleigh when they first visit. As a capital city, you’d expect it to be bustling, polluted, and chaotic-feeling — but it’s very far from it. It’s green, it’s evolving, it’s lively without feeling overwhelming, and quite often, people plan to stay for a few days and end up staying
Upscale Hotels near Raleigh: The Best Luxury Stays in the Triangle
Raleigh has always had an innovative spirit, after all, it was a planned city to be the capital of North Carolina, and nothing within it was done by accident. Raleigh isn’t as brash or boastful, nor is it as buttoned-up as other NC cities, but it’s subtly evolving behind the scenes and offering high-end stays
Run for a Reason: Join Raleigh’s Reach, Rally & Run Supporting Wake Tech Students
Looking for a meaningful Raleigh race this spring? One that suits your desire to walk, jog, or sprint — and one you can enjoy solo or with friends, new and old? Reach, Rally & Run (formerly Fostering Footsteps) is more than just another 5K or 10K in Raleigh. It’s a purpose-driven run in Raleigh that
What to Look for in a Raleigh Wedding Venue — From Ceremony to Reception
If you’re newly engaged and starting to explore wedding venues in Raleigh, Cary, or the greater Wake County area, you’ve probably already realized one thing: There are a lot of options. From rustic barns to downtown rooftops to modern event spaces, it can feel overwhelming trying to decide what truly matters, especially when your Pinterest
Where To Go For Spring Break From Raleigh: From Peaks to Shores
As the vibrant colors of spring begin to paint the landscape, we dust off the sandals, pull the bathers from the depths of the closet, and start planning where to go for Spring Break in North Carolina. In 2026, NC State University breaks up for Spring Break on March 16, and Wake County Schools on
8 U-Pick Tulip Farms near Raleigh: Pick Your Own Spring Bunches!
Spring is around the corner, and it’s time to start filling our homes with vases of colorful tulips, the most vibrant of Spring flowers. You don’t need to import them from Holland, however, as we have a handful of U-Pick Tulip Farms near Raleigh where you can pull out your secateurs and cut your own
Juneteenth Celebrations in The Triangle Not to Miss
On June 19th, 1865, the last enslaved African Americans were set free in the United States – a day that has been marked as a federal holiday since 2021. Since the beginning, Juneteenth (June 19th) has not only been a day of national significance, but a day widely celebrated here in the City of Oaks,
13 Top Destinations Outside NC to Celebrate America250 from Raleigh (Less Than 8 Hours’ Drive)
With America’s 250th birthday coming up, it might be a good time to start planning a weekend vacation outside North Carolina, where you can experience a new destination and get your Red, White, and Blue Pride on at the same time. We’re lucky that Raleigh is within an 8-hour drive of some fantastic destinations which
Where to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday in North Carolina (Semiquincentennial Events Not to Miss)
This 4th of July is not just any 4th of July, it’s the Semiquincentennial – also known as America’s 250th birthday! There is so much happening across the country to celebrate America 250, and here in our home-state of North Carolina, there is no shortage of incredible celebrations where you can put your patriotic pants
The LGBTQIA+ Pride Guide to Raleigh: Best Bars, Businesses & Events
All are welcome, y’all. That’s Raleigh’s motto. It doesn’t matter the color of your skin, your sexual preference, or who you vote for; everyone is treated with equal amounts of respect. It’s one of the things we love most about our City of Oaks. For the LGBTQIA+ community, Raleigh is both progressive and inclusive –
Where to Watch the Super Bowl in Raleigh 2026 (Big Game Sunday)
Super Bowl Sunday is almost here, and Raleigh is ready to bring the energy. Whether you want a full-on watch party, skyline views with beer specials, a legendary sports bar atmosphere, or gameday eats to take home, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the Big Game around the Triangle. If you haven’t heard, the