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!)

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

Two story brick home

5 Top Neighborhoods in Apex, NC (suburban living near Raleigh)

By Caroline Makepeace / September 1, 2023

If you’re interested in living in Apex, North Carolina, in this post we are sharing helpful insights on the best neighborhoods in Apex to call home whether you are a family, a couple, or you live alone. Is Apex NC a nice place to live? The charming town of Apex offers a wonderful lifestyle. It […]

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Gathering of people in a city street for a festival

September Events 2023: What’s happening in Raleigh this month?

By Caroline Makepeace / August 31, 2023

I often feel conflicted when September arrives. I’m so overjoyed as I absolutely love Fall in Raleigh and all the fun that is to come between now and the holidays. But it’s a month that also chips away a little at that joy because it means summer is on the way out! Another reason we […]

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people dancing

Designed for Joy’s Evening of Giving in Raleigh, 2023 (It’s Joy Time)

By Caroline Makepeace / August 24, 2023

Here’s an annual Raleigh event designed to make your heart swell with happiness. It’s put on by one of our favorite local non-profit organizations, Designed for Joy.  I love this company so much that I volunteer on their marketing committee. I love to, not only, offer some (hopefully helpful) marketing advice (mostly blog and social […]

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People looking at a white house

Learn about the History + Future of Dorothea Dix Park (on a FREE guided walking tour)

By Caroline Makepeace / August 23, 2023

Did you know that Dorothea Dix Park runs free guided walking tours every second Saturday of the month? Neither did we until recently. We thoroughly recommend it as a way to learn about the fascinating history of the park, and its future! When a free Saturday appeared in our schedule, we booked ourselves in and […]

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Man and woman standing in front of a Southern historic building

Luxurious Summer Staycation at The Fearrington House Inn (Pittsboro)

By Caroline Makepeace / August 5, 2023

Did you know there is a luxurious property only 30-minutes from Raleigh in the Pittsboro area, a Relais & Chateau property? After you take a look at our experience below, you might just be packing your own bags for a quick getaway! Considering we had stayed at a real chateau in the Loire Valley, France […]

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Two ladies enjoying drinks and dinner while watching a baseball game in Durham

August Events 2023: What’s happening in Raleigh This Month?

By Caroline Makepeace / July 28, 2023

You know we’ve now arrived at the time when Raleigh experiences only three temperatures: hot, hotter, and hottest. Yep, summer in Raleigh can be intense, but we personally love it. You might be trading in the hiking boots and bike helmets for ice cold ales in an air-conditioned Raleigh brewery. I kinda get it, but I’m […]

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People drinking at a bar in a brewery

Fun Getaway to Rocky Mount Mills (one hour from Raleigh)

By Caroline Makepeace / July 24, 2023

Perhaps you’ve heard murmurings of the cool complex of breweries and restaurants located in an historic mill next to the Tar River about one hour’s drive from Raleigh? We certainly did and our curiosity was piqued. It sounded like a fun place to check out, especially since it’s so close to Raleigh! In April we […]

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Lady drinking a glass of red wine with a pizza

A Taste of Italy in Raleigh at Giorgio Pizza Bar, North Hills

By Caroline Makepeace / July 20, 2023

I was a budget backpacker when I toured Italy in a campervan with four girlfriends back in 1998. It wasn’t a culinary experience by any means, but we made sure we had a thousand lira each day for a gelato (and yes, two weeks of that will put on weight even when you’re 22). But […]

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Mother and daughter taking pictures at the sunflower field.

Don’t Miss These Sunflower Fields in Raleigh

By Caroline Makepeace / July 11, 2023

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 is a flower that can elicit as much joy as a sunflower. Not just for their bright yellow personas, but the way they keep us connected to awe: How […]

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Cup of beer in plastic cup with D on it Durham Bulls baseball game

July Events, 2023: What’s happening in Raleigh this month?

By Caroline Makepeace / July 1, 2023

Summer is really happening now! Big Raleigh events and festivals are much quieter in July, but live music, theatre, and concerts are in huge demand! People are flocking to cool down at our nearby lakes, and a little further to our NC beaches, and the sunflowers are getting ready to bloom! This month we have […]

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A crowd of people watching a baseball game

What to do in Raleigh for July 4th, 2023 (+ where to see fireworks)

By Caroline Makepeace / June 29, 2023

While we’re not American, we figured out quickly that July 4th is a day for celebration with those you love. You come together, eat hot dogs, have a few drinks, play some corn hole, wave a few flags, maybe watch a game of baseball, listen to music, and enjoy some fireworks! Not too different to […]

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Caroline Makepeace (a woman) holding a bucket of strawberries standing under an American flag

Fun Day Trip to Princeton & Pine Level, Johnston County (Farms, Strawberries & Waffees)

By Caroline Makepeace / June 5, 2023

If you like friendly people who have time to chat with you, plenty of outdoor space filled with farms and fresh produce, then Johnston County is for you. It’s an easy 20-40 minute drive from Raleigh, depending on where you’re coming from and going to. There is plenty to see and do here, and to keep […]

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