Description

Wanderlust is a conceptual travel booking platform I developed to demonstrate end-to-end web development capabilities — from database architecture and REST API design to pixel-perfect frontend implementation. The platform allows users to search destinations, compare accommodation options, book flights, and purchase curated experiences all within a single, cohesive interface. The project highlights my ability to handle complex state management, third-party API integrations, and conversion- optimized UX flows.

Key Features

• Smart Search & Filters: Built an advanced search engine with destination autocomplete, date range pickers, guest count selectors, and multi-criteria filtering for price, rating, and amenities.

• Interactive Maps: Integrated Mapbox GL for interactive destination maps showing property pins, nearby attractions, and real-time availability clusters.

• Booking & Checkout Flow: Designed a streamlined multi-step booking flow with guest details, room selection, add-on upsells, and a secure payment gateway integration.

• User Dashboard: Built a personal trip management dashboard showing upcoming bookings, past itineraries, saved destinations, and loyalty points.

• Review System: Implemented a verified review system with star ratings, photo uploads, and sentiment-based sorting to build trust and aid decision-making.

Technologies Used

• Front-End: Next.js 14 with TypeScript and Tailwind CSS for a performant, SEO-friendly, fully responsive interface.

• Back-End: Node.js with Express.js for RESTful API endpoints handling search, bookings, user auth, and review management.

• Database: PostgreSQL with Prisma ORM for relational data modeling of users, properties, bookings, and reviews.

• Payment Integration: Stripe API for secure multi-currency payment processing with webhook-based booking confirmation.

• Maps & APIs: Mapbox GL JS for interactive maps and Google Places API for destination autocomplete and points of interest data.

Design Highlights

• Conversion-Optimized UX: Applied booking funnel best practices — minimal form friction, progress indicators, and trust signals — to maximize checkout completion rates.

• Performance: Achieved 95+ Lighthouse score through image optimization, lazy loading, code splitting, and server-side rendering of listing pages.

• Responsive Design: Fully adaptive layout from mobile to desktop with touch-optimized date pickers, swipeable galleries, and a sticky booking widget on property pages.