The US West Coast with Claudio Schoch and Marisa Mathys
Text: Wolfram Scherer
It is hard to say how many trips and kilometres Claudio Schoch has driven. He has been behind the wheel of coaches since 1978. For a long time in Germany, and for nine years with EUROBUS. It is also nine years since he met Marisa Mathys on a trip. They have been a couple ever since. Strictly speaking, the two have already retired and live in the Philippines. But when EUROBUS gets in touch with a request, they cannot say no. Especially when the trip is along the west coast of the USA. Then Claudio Schoch is happy to get back behind the wheel, and Marisa Mathys looks after the guests' well-being as tour guide.
Asked about it, Claudio Schoch says: «We do it out of pure passion. And on a long trip like this we complement each other perfectly. That way we can look after the guests more closely.» Their own journey to the USA actually begins a few days before the guests arrive in Los Angeles and are picked up at the airport. First, the coach with its US licence plates has to be prepared, and the local guide has to be met and briefed.
«The feeling of American freedom»
But why do the two of them love the USA so much? Claudio Schoch: «When we leave LA airport in the coach and plunge into the big city, we always get that feeling of American freedom.» And Marisa Mathys adds: «Some of the trip's highlights are already waiting in LA, for example Beverly Hills, Hollywood and the Walk of Fame.»
And those are by no means the only ones. The journey leads from LA to Joshua Tree National Park and on along the mother of all American roads – Route 66 – to the Grand Canyon. «Here I urge my guests to take a helicopter flight. The experience is spectacular,» says Claudio Schoch. The other stops on the trip – Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon or Zion National Park – are equally impressive for their magnificent natural landscapes. And because the trip offers many opportunities to explore these landscapes and cultural sites on foot, Marisa Mathys recommends: «It helps if guests are fairly fit».
Showtime in Las Vegas
A highlight for many travellers to the USA is the city of a thousand lights – Las Vegas. Claudio Schoch and Marisa Mathys stop here with their guests too. Claudio Schoch says: «Since you're here, why not go into one of the many casinos with a hundred dollars and try your luck?» Or see one of the many shows. «We are happy to give guests personal recommendations on which show is on where and when,» adds Marisa Mathys.
After Las Vegas comes one of Claudio Schoch's favourite places on this trip. «The rock formations in Death Valley are truly unique. And don't worry about the heat, we have plenty of water on the coach.» The next stop is lively San Francisco. Here Marisa Mathys recommends strolling through the fascinating neighbourhoods or taking a ride on the famous cable cars. And she is already looking forward to the spectacular view from the Golden Gate Bridge of the old prison on Alcatraz.
What follows is, for Claudio Schoch, one of his absolute favourite routes – the drive along the west coast of the USA from San Francisco via Santa Barbara back to Los Angeles. «There are wonderful places here with fantastic views, where we of course stop.»
Guests become a small family
The trip along the west coast of the USA lasts two weeks. And there are plenty of spectacular landscapes, fascinating cities and cultural sites to see. These shared experiences bring the guests together. «They get to know each other and do things together, so a small family often forms,» explains Marisa Mathys. Claudio Schoch and Marisa Mathys are looking forward to the USA trip and let slip that they will also accompany the new USA trip again next year – this time on the east coast of the USA and in Canada.
Discover the USA trip to the West Coast here. And if you are already interested in next year's USA trip, you will find more information here.