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
Where to get your Christmas Trees in Raleigh: Choose & Cut Farms + Pop-up Shops
Is your home ready to be decorated for the Holiday season and filled with the sweet scent of pine? Then it can only mean one thing: it’s tree-hunting time. If you’re after a real Fir tree to spruce up your home, then we’ve made it easier for you. In this guide, we’ve put together a
What’s New in North Hills: The Latest Openings, Expansions & Buzz-Worthy Spots You’ll Love
If there’s one place in Raleigh that’s changing faster than the seasons, it’s North Hills. Once a simple shopping center, it’s evolved into a vibrant lifestyle district where you can start your morning with yoga and coffee, browse boutiques, meet friends for rooftop drinks, and unwind with live music — all within a few walkable
Feeding the Pack: How NC State’s Food Pantry Is Tackling Hunger with Heart
Every day, thousands of students walk across NC State University’s brickyard with dreams of changing the world — but for many, just getting through the week can feel like the greatest challenge. Rising tuition, rent, and grocery costs have pushed food insecurity into an unseen crisis on college campuses nationwide. Here in Raleigh, the Feed
How to Enjoy the Holiday Season at North Hills (Festive Events, Shopping, & eats)
Forget the North Pole, the North Hills is where it’s at when you want to soak up the holiday spirit in Raleigh. This vibrant neighborhood is a one-stop destination for everything festive; from holiday markets to family-friendly events, pop-up shopping spots, and a lineup of local dining options that make it the perfect place to
6 Top places to stay in Durham, NC
So, you’re visiting the Bull City and need a place to stay? Durham is not short of options for you. We’re big fans of Durham, not just as a day trip but as a weekend destination in its own right. It has an innovative atmosphere, where lab coats and craft lattes coexist harmoniously, and every
6 Top places to stay in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, otherwise known as the Queen City, is the crown jewel of North Carolina’s Piedmont Plateau. But even queens need a good night’s sleep, and being the largest city in NC, Charlotte has a ton of options to choose from. Whether you’re a jet-lagged traveler or a weekender in town for the NASCAR delights, there
8 Fun Theme Parks & Amusement Parks near Raleigh, NC!
While there aren’t any theme parks in Raleigh itself, there are plenty of amusement parks, and since it’s a long drive to Carowinds, you might be wondering what are the closest theme parks near Raleigh. Well, while Carowinds is the most famous theme park in NC, and boasts the tallest, longest, and fastest rollercoaster in
Green Eats: 21 Top Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in The Triangle
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll be pleased to know that Raleigh and the surrounding towns and cities in the Triangle have tons of options that cater to you. Raleigh’s diverse dining scene is on the up, and there’s now a growing number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Raleigh that offer extensive options
From Complex Teeth to Confident Smiles: Our Honest Experience with Gladwell Orthodontics in Raleigh
Choosing orthodontic care for your child can feel overwhelming with so many treatment options, differing opinions, and the knowledge that whatever you decide will shape their smile (and confidence) for years to come. When our daughter Savannah needed orthodontic treatment, we knew we had some unique challenges ahead. She had missing adult teeth, baby teeth
What It’s Like To Ride The Polar Express in Bryson City, North Carolina
ALL ABOARD! Grab your finest pyjamas and a heart open to the magic of Christmas – it’s time to ride the Polar Express in Bryson City, North Carolina and pick up Santa from the North Pole Village. Watch the joy on your children’s faces as they enjoy a real life version of this beloved Christmas
12 Top things to do in Moore County [Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Southern Pines]
If you’re looking for an easy day trip of somewhere leafy and quiet to escape to, then we highly recommend you check out Moore County, also known as the Pinehurst region or the Sandhills of North Carolina. You’ve probably heard about Pinehurst, the home of American Golf. It’s a charming village amongst the longleaf trees
Santa Claus Is Coming to Raleigh: Where to see Santa Sightings & get Photos (2025)
As soon as the weather turns a little bit crisp, the question hot on any child’s lips is “Where can I get a photo with Santa in Raleigh and tell him what I want for Christmas?” Stop the frantic searching parents, Santa Clause is coming to Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle region this Christmas, and
6 Top places to stay in Asheville, NC (all Budgets and styles)
Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of our favorite getaway destinations: Asheville. Asheville has this amazing atmosphere where craft meets comfort – it’s where artists and adventurers rub shoulders and share pints together in one of the many breweries around town. You can spend your days wandering in the mountains
50 Favorite Raleigh Places to Eat (Voted by Locals)
Raleigh’s is a city that’s forever expanding, and every year it seems to explode with new fun eateries, restaurants, fine dining and places to eat – more thanks to many planned developments over the past several years opening up. A decade ago, we struggled to find anything above a few long time favorites, now it’s
Press Coffee & Crepes: Our Favorite Spot in Raleigh for Breakfast, Brunch, and Coffee
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know how much we love uncovering Raleigh’s gems, especially when it comes to coffee and brunch. And if there’s one place we return to again and again, both on lazy Saturday mornings and when we’re entertaining out-of-town family and friends, it’s Press Coffee & Crepes in
A Complete Guide to Dorothea Dix Park: Raleigh’s Urban Oasis
Welcome to Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh’s 308-acre dose of green tranquility right in the heart of the city. It’s where wildflowers, paths lined with mature oak trees, giant trolls, and open lawns, are framed by skyline views. Perched just west of downtown, it’s where the city comes to stretch its legs, breathe in a little
Experience the Magic of The Nutcracker with Cary Ballet Company This Holiday Season!
As the holiday season settles over Raleigh, the calendar fills up fast, and one tradition we put on the list every December is The Nutcracker, performed by the talented dancers of Cary Ballet Company. The Cary Ballet Nutcracker is popular enough that it plays two of Wake County’s best stages, the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater at
The burgers, brews, and history e-bike tour with Triangle Adventures, Clayton
The road less traveled often leads to the most unforgettable adventures — and that’s what we found in Clayton, North Carolina, although that road is paved and is framed by breathtaking views of the Neuse River and rolling hills of the Triangle. Pair that with fresh air and an effortless e-bike to assist you, and