Thanks to the French unions going on strike during our recent Christmas Markets cruise down the Rhine (with plans to return to briefly visited cities by train with multiple overnights for the nighttime experience in the Markets, trains went down into and out of France. A search for options brought us to DayTrip.com, and what a discovery.

Quite simply, a better, international version of Lyft and Uber, with a similar platform. Price clearly stated, photo of the driver, description of the vehicle and DOOR-TO-DOOR service. No schlepping of bags to a train station, onto the train, off the train, into a cab or other and to your hotel. Drivers are professional and even for those with limited English (or travelers with limited other language skills) no problem!!

Mainz, Germany to Strasbourg, France (where we were treated to Market area demonstrations for attention) with Michel - A+. Later, Strasbourg to Basel, Switzerland with Thierry - A+. The relaxed pleasure of being professionally driven in comfortable vehicles with the passing scenery (by the way, paralleling the railways!) was a treat. As good as all that, and price comparability to train travel when you factor in cabs to/from train stations and train station stress and schedules that are sometimes incomprehensible - nothing beats the convenience of door-front delivery to your hotel or VRBO, with luggage help to boot. You'll never go back.

For purely nostalgic reasons, ride a train in Europe, but make DayTrip you first choice!

Our Daytrip from Seville to Lisbon was first rate. The driver, Ricardo, was there on time and got us there in good time. He was helpful and informative and his car was clean and comfortable. I would not hesitate to use Daytrip again and highly recommend it.