ABOUT PROJECT
At the crossroads of wanderlust and environmental responsibility, Wilder Places was born from a bold idea: what if traveling could actively heal the planet? Founded by Bart Schutz, Victor van Dooren, and Rocio Belén Llamas under the umbrella of Rewilding Europe, Wilder Places is a nature-based tourism marketplace where curious travelers discover and book nature-based stays, daytime experiences, and multi-day tours – all set within Europe’s most breathtaking rewilding landscapes.
This sustainable travel marketplace serves two distinct but deeply complementary audiences. On one side are eco-conscious travelers – adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts, and responsible tourists seeking meaningful experiences beyond the tourist trail, who want their journeys to leave a positive footprint. On the other are local providers: guides, landowners, and small operators embedded in rewilding regions across Europe, who gain a dedicated channel to showcase their offerings and turn conservation into a sustainable livelihood. As a P2P platform development initiative, Wilder Places bridges these two worlds seamlessly.
Key Challenges
Building Wilder Places from the ground up came with real technical complexity. As a fully custom local marketplace, the platform required purpose-built logic extensions that went well beyond standard configurations – and many features demanded significantly more time and architectural depth than initial estimates had accounted for. Strict deadlines required the Roobykon team to mobilize additional resources at key moments and make precise technical decisions on the fly – all without compromising the quality the platform needed at launch.
What made these challenges manageable was the exceptional working relationship. When tasks required more time than scoped, we delivered honest updates. The client responded with professional trust, not pressure. This foundation of transparent communication proved as critical as any technical decision. Building a P2P platform on a tight timeline demanded honesty above all else.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
Solution Highlights
Roobykon Software built Wilder Places using the Sharetribe Web Template as a foundation, combined with a modern frontend stack including React.js, Redux, React Router, and Final Form, while Node.js and Express.js handled custom server-side logic. This headless approach – leveraging Sharetribe’s Core API for backend operations like user management and secure bookings – allowed the team to focus on creating a unique, mission-driven interface without reinventing core marketplace functionality. This is headless marketplace development at its best. Final Form ensured efficient, glitch-free booking flows for travelers exploring rewilding destinations across Europe.
This architecture delivered both speed and customization — exactly what custom marketplace development requires. React and Redux enabled dynamic content filters by country, category, and budget, while the separation of frontend and backend via Core API allowed rapid iteration on design features without disrupting transaction integrity. Building a headless marketplace with Sharetribe Core API integration proved that creating a custom platform can be both fast and scalable.
THE PROCESS
01
Preparing for a global brand: Preparation took time because global brands require multiple internal approvals. We invested extra effort upfront to understand their mission and technical requirements. Building a nature-based tourism marketplace meant quality mattered more than raw speed.
02
Structuring the roadmap: We divided the entire list of tasks into three clear sections: First phase (must-haves for launch), Nice to have features, and Future features. This allowed us to focus on MVP marketplace development first while keeping the client excited about what comes next.
03
Designing without a starting design: There was no design from the start, so we styled the project using the Sharetribe Console and added a custom font to give Wilder Places its own visual identity. This approach let us move quickly while still delivering a polished, brand-aligned look.
04
Establishing smooth communication: Communication was always smooth and pleasant for both sides. We had weekly calls, and we stayed in constant contact via Slack. The client received a structured weekly report on all work completed.
05
Launching on schedule: We started the project on November 1, 2025, and launched the nature-based experience marketplace on December 4, 2025. An updated version of the marketplace was released in 2026, as a complete redesign was implemented, proving that our initial foundation was solid enough to build upon.
Main Features
Multi-language support
We implemented a custom solution allowing full platform localization, including a page editor with section-level translations managed directly by admins. This ensures that travelers across Europe can experience Wilder Places in their own language without any developer intervention.
Extended booking window
The default booking limitations were extended so users can now book stays and experiences up to 12 months in advance. This was essential for travelers planning rewilding adventures like bear tracking or wolf watching across seasons.
Seasonal availability settings
Hosts can define their availability by season, for example, offering listings only during summer or winter months. This setting directly impacts listing visibility and sorting, ensuring that only relevant options appear based on the traveler’s intended travel period.
Minimum booking notice
We added a configuration that lets hosts define the minimum time required before a booking can be made. This prevents last-minute reservations for remote rewilding locations where preparation and logistics take extra time – a great example of booking system customization for marketplace.
Map-based search experience
Listings are displayed dynamically on an interactive map interface, allowing travelers to discover nature stays based on geographic location rather than just lists. This is a map-based marketplace development that dramatically improves discovery for remote rewilding regions scattered across Europe.
Google Reviews embedding
Hosts can attach up to five external Google reviews directly to their listing profiles. This builds trust with potential guests by showcasing authentic feedback from other platforms without requiring duplicate review collection.
Calendar export & synchronization support
Bookings can be exported via .ics files or added directly to Google Calendar. This is a calendar sync marketplace integration that helps travelers integrate their rewilding adventures into their personal schedules while keeping hosts informed of confirmed dates.
Custom listing type
We developed a specialized listing type that supports predefined dates instead of flexible availability. This is perfect for guided wildlife tours and group experiences that happen only on specific scheduled days throughout the year.
RESULTS
The results of our collaboration with Wilder Places go far beyond a successfully launched marketplace. From the very first call, the relationship was built on genuine mutual interest, open communication, and a shared commitment to doing the work right. Our team approached every task with that same spirit, consistently structuring solutions in ways that delivered maximum value without unnecessary cost to the client. That mindset was recognized and appreciated, and it became one of the defining reasons the collaboration functioned at such a high level throughout the entire project lifecycle.
The results speak for themselves. In just over a month, a fully functional, custom-built marketplace went live – and has since evolved into a redesigned, more polished platform that continues to grow.
Lessons from Wilder Places
One of the most powerful lessons came from the sheer scale of working with a global brand. Preparing for this project took a long time because the bigger your client’s business, the more key people need to approve decisions and complete internal procedures.
Wilder Places reinforced for us that the quality of a relationship between a client and a development team directly shapes the quality of the product being built. When trust is present, problems get solved faster, decisions get made more confidently, and the work itself becomes something everyone is genuinely invested in.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Pat Drinan
Founder & CEO, Homehak
Richard Rucevics
Co-Founder, Eventify
Kayla McDonald
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Rabel
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