Bucharest Trail

Buharest Trail - Explore smarter. Walk with purpose.

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Inspiration

While traveling, I once had several hours to spare before my check-in. I wanted to explore the city, but I ended up zigzagging and revisiting areas because I hadn’t planned a smart route. That frustration sparked the idea for Bucharest Trail: an app to help travelers explore more efficiently and feel like locals, even on a tight schedule.

What it does

Bucharest Trail generates optimized walking routes between two locations in Bucharest. Along the way, users can add curated points of interest (POIs) tailored to categories like parks, cafés, museums, or relaxation spots. The app updates walking time in real-time and allows users to launch their final route directly in Google Maps.

How I built it

The app is built with React and styled using Tailwind CSS. Google Maps Platform APIs used:

  • Maps JavaScript API (interactive map)
  • Places & Autocomplete APIs (search + POI metadata)
  • Directions API (route optimization)
  • Geocoding API (address conversion)

Challenges I ran into & Accomplishments that I'm proud of

The main challenge was the short timeline: I came across the Google Maps Platform Awards just a couple of days before the deadline. I had used one of the APIs before, so I saw this as an opportunity to challenge myself and see if I could successfully complete a full solo submission. It was also my first time working with React, having previously only used Flask, so the project became just as much a learning experience as a development one.

What's next for Bucharest Trail

I want to make Bucharest Trail work for any city by automatically choosing spots based on reviews and how popular they are. Adding real-time information like opening hours, how busy places are, and user ratings will make the app more helpful.

I also plan to improve the website for phone use, so it’s easier to use while traveling.

To make exploring more fun, I’ll add a points system where users earn rewards for using the app. These points can unlock hidden places and achievements. There will be a digital passport that shows how much of a city or the world you’ve explored, with badges like:

  • Visiting the top 5 most popular museums
  • Exploring 5 parks in one day
  • Completing 3 routes in a week
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