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
24 Perfect Date Ideas For Valentine’s Day In Raleigh, 2026 (+ Valentine’s Events)
Love is in the air, and Cupid is firing his arrow and there are so many great ways to spend Valentine’s Day in Raleigh this year. From classy evening meals to days out to staycations, there’s no shortage of date night activities for a perfect Valentine’s Day in the Triangle. Whether you’re happily married, in
The Beauty of Art in Bloom Festival in Raleigh: A Complete Guide
Are you ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant tapestry of colors, shapes, and creativity? Welcome to the Art in Bloom Festival in Raleigh, a celebration bringing together the worlds of art and nature in an explosion of beauty and inspiration. This annual Raleigh event has become a cherished tradition for locals and visitors alike,
Valentine’s Day Date Ideas on Hillsborough Street
Hillsborough Street has always been Raleigh’s most sociable corridor, and on Valentine’s Day, that buzzing energy turns quietly romantic. You won’t find white-tablecloth formal dinners here, but cozy candle-lit corners, coffee shops, and bartenders who remember your name. Hillsborough Street has an unhurried vibe, making it the perfect place to spend the day of love
32 Unique and Fun Date Night Ideas for Raleigh (For All Occasions)
It can be difficult coming up with fresh date ideas in Raleigh NC when you feel you’ve exhausted your options. As a local couple who have lived here for over a decade, we’re always on the hunt for new and unique things to do as a couple, and we’re excited to share our date night
How To Spend Valentine’s Day in North Hills: Romance, Dining & Date-Night Magic
February is here which means Valentine’s Day and North Hills is a district that knows how to do a date night. Whether you’re looking for the perfect way to celebrate the Day of Love with your significant other, best friends, or just to treat yourself, North Hills has a lot of Cupid arrows in its
60+ Black Owned Businesses in Raleigh to Love & Support
Did you know that the city of Raleigh is home to 1,349 black-owned businesses as of 2022? This ranks Raleigh at the 20th spot for the highest number of black entrepreneurs and business owners in the country. Raleigh has always been a vibrant city filled with culture, history, and innovation; and it’s exciting to see
Celebrate Black History Month in Raleigh: Where to honor the history & culture of Black Americans
There is no shortage of black history and cultural experiences to be found in Raleigh, North Carolina. While Raleigh has a lot of African American experiences year-round (and we recommend you connect to them), Black History Month, which takes place throughout February, is the perfect time to learn about, recognize, and honor the contributions and
February Events 2026: What’s Happening in Raleigh (includes Black History)
Hello friends! Welcome to February in Raleigh. There are plenty of fun things to do in Raleigh this month; it’s the month of LOVE of course (Valentine’s Day) and the time to celebrate Black History. We’ll list events for both below! We are doing our best to share with you what Raleigh events are happening
Budleigh East: Why This Raleigh Neighborhood Inside The Beltline Should Be on Your Shortlist
If you’ve ever dreamed of living inside the Beltline with timeless neighborhood charm and the comfort of a brand-new custom home, Budleigh East is one of Raleigh’s rare opportunities to have both. Tucked within the historic Hayes Barton area – one of Raleigh’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods – this new community blends classic Raleigh
17 Things to Do in Raleigh During Winter: Embrace the Cozy Season
Winter in Raleigh is a quieter time of year, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do! As longtime residents of Raleigh, we’ve learned that this season can also be the most inviting: crisp mornings are ideal for sipping spiced lattes in cozy coffee shops, rainy days make the museums all the more enticing,
12 Places on Hillsborough Street to Beat the Winter Chill
Winter is the perfect time to embrace the cozy vibes, and there’s no better place to do it than on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. With its inviting coffee shops, warm dining spots, and entertainment options, this bustling corridor offers everything you need to stay snug during the colder months. If you’re wandering down Raleigh’s thoroughfare
Top North Carolina Festivals & Events For 2026
If there’s one thing that the Tar Heel state does right, it knows how to put on a show – there’s nothing quite like a North Carolina festival, y’all! From the mountains near Asheville to the coastal shores in Eastern North Carolina, and all that’s in between, there is no shortage of fun, dancing, and
50+ Unmissable Festivals & Events in Raleigh To Attend In 2026
One thing Raleigh knows how to do well, is a festival. There is a whole host of accolade-worthy Raleigh events and festivals happening throughout the year, and 2026 promises to be an exceptional year for entertainment. If you’re visiting Raleigh, or new to the city, then attending a festival in Raleigh is a great way
The Best Events in Raleigh in January 2026 (Start the year Strong!)
Hello 2026. It’s wonderful to see you! We really loved 2025 and all the newness it brought to Wake County. We had so many great new restaurants, cafes, and experiences open. We’re hopeful 2026 will be just as much fun as this city continues to grow into its adolescent skin and offers us even more
The North Hills Yearbook: 2025 Edition: Celebrating Joy, Connection & Community
If there’s one word that captures North Hills in 2025, it’s joy. The kind that shows up in small, everyday moments — a perfectly crafted cocktail shared with friends, live music drifting over Midtown Park at sunset, children running toward Santa with holiday lights twinkling behind them or finally trying that new restaurant everyone swore
What It’s Like to Live at Camden Carolinian Apartments in Raleigh
Moving to Raleigh often comes with equal parts excitement and uncertainty. The city offers vibrant neighborhoods, robust job growth, and an impressive blend of culture and outdoor spaces. One of the most significant decisions new residents face is choosing where to live, especially within the Beltline, where location significantly shapes daily life. Camden Carolinian apartments
Tous Les Jours Bakery in Holly Springs: Why Raleigh Locals Are Making the Sweet Drive South
Some places don’t just open quietly. They arrive with a buzz. Since opening in May this year, Tous Les Jours Bakery in Holly Springs has quickly become one of those spots people whisper about, then text their friends, then plan a whole morning around. And after finally visiting ourselves on a Saturday morning, we get
The Best Wintery Drinks in the Triangle: Coffees, Cocktails & Craft Brews
Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it can only mean one thing on the horizon. If you’re now getting the Holiday spirit and feeling like a festive, wintery drink (or two), you don’t have to travel far to find it. We love how there are so many winter-themed drinks being served across Raleigh, each warming your