We’ve all been there: looking at how much time you have to get away compared with a massive list of things you’d like to experience—natural beauty, a taste of history, a little shopping, some adventure and great food—and wondering how you can squeeze it all into a single trip.

Fortunately, the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies offer all that, and then some. And, with a little strategy and the right mode of transportation, it’s entirely doable in one amazing trip. With a well-considered itinerary, it’s possible to experience the Pacific Ocean, sophisticated cities, mountain landscapes, canyons, gorges, glacier-fed rivers and much more. While this might sound impossible and exhausting even for hard-core adventurers, traveling by rail means you can see it all in luxury – and at a relaxed pace.

Start in Seattle

Seattle’s Space Needle. (Photo: 36clicks, Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Start your journey in the easy-to-access Pacific Northwest “Emerald City” of Seattle, Washington, whose distinct skyline features the 605-foot-tall Seattle Space Needle. Opened in 1962, it’s one of the world’s most recognizable structures. On a clear day, you might even see Mount Rainier behind the views of downtown.

Just steps away, find stunning artwork at Chihuly Garden and Glass at the Seattle Center. It showcases work by Dale Chihuly, the world’s best-known glass artist, spread among eight galleries and a garden. The Museum of Pop Culture (formerly the Experience Music Project or EMP), designed by Frank Gehry, offers another brush with Seattle’s thriving cultural scene. There you’ll see exhibits dedicated to fashion, music, film, video games and much more. Coffee lovers can find plenty of independent coffee shops to get their caffeine fix, but don’t miss a visit to the original Starbucks location, which opened in 1971 at the entrance to historic Pike Place Market. Overlooking Elliott Bay, the public farmers’ market has been in continuous operation since 1907, offering fresh fish, produce, flowers and artisanal products. After exploring the city, begin a journey north and into British Columbia and on to the Canadian Rockies onboard Rocky Mountaineer’s Coastal Passage route to take in the dazzling scenery of Western Canada. Here’s what you can expect to see along the way.

Wonders await to the north

Rocky Mountaineer’s train journey crosses Chuckanut Bay in northern Washington. The pristine crescent-shaped bay stretches for miles and is a highlight on the train’s Coastal Passage route. (Photo: Rocky Mountaineer)
As you make your way north out of Seattle, watch the scenery change along the coast. With the city behind you, you’ll have much to see. First, you’ll pass through the Puget Sound, one of the best-known Pacific Ocean coastal inlets surrounded by the dramatic Cascade and Olympic Mountains. Keep an eye out for the charming town of Mount Vernon (named for President George Washington’s final resting place in Virginia), tucked between the evergreen-forested San Juan Islands and the Cascade Mountains. As you continue to wind north, Chuckanut Bay is a spectacular sight. The bay’s name is derived from the Native American word for “mountain by the bay,” as it is the only place the Cascade Mountains meet the ocean.

Experience Vancouver’s many charms 

Framed by mountains, ocean and forest, it’s easy to see why Vancouver consistently ranks as a top tourism spot. Stanley Park, which covers nearly 1,000 acres, borders downtown and is among many highlights of this beautiful West Coast city. (Photo: Rocky Mountaineer)
If ever there were a place that perfectly blends everything you love about the outdoors (the ocean, bays, forests, mountains) with all the culture and activities of a world-class city, it’s Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.). While you’re in town, get a day pass to hop on and off the tiny False Creek Ferries’ nine stops or the Aquabus’ eight stops around False Creek. You’ll want to explore the unique personalities of the city’s neighborhoods and areas, including Granville Island, with its charming art galleries, terrific seafood restaurants and indoor Public Market, filled with fresh produce and artisanal, gourmet products.

Downtown, explore Robson Street, one of Vancouver’s oldest commercial streets overflowing with designer and local retail brands. Breathe the fresh air as you explore world-famous Stanley Park on foot or by bike, taking in its centuries-old trees and landmarks including Lost Lagoon, the Hollow Tree and Siwash Rock. A culturally diverse city, Vancouver is also a foodie’s dream come true, with myriad restaurants and world-class fare featuring the finest in Asian cuisine (including ultra-fresh sushi), fusion food and fresh, sustainable produce, sourced from any number of year-round farmers’ markets. After exploring this beautiful and cosmopolitan city, you’ll connect with Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West route, on a train bound for the Canadian Rockies, located near the borders of B.C and the province of Alberta.

Witness the mighty Fraser River 

Rocky Mountaineer crosses the Fraser River near Cisco Crossing on its First Passage to the West route. (Photo: Rocky Mountaineer)

As you leave Vancouver headed northeast, you’ve got some of British Columbia’s most breathtaking wilderness ahead of you. Along the rushing Fraser River, the longest in B.C.,  get your camera ready as you cross Hell’s Gate, a narrow passage that prompted explorer Simon Fraser (the river’s namesake) to describe it in 1808 as “a place where no human should venture, for surely these are the gates of hell.” Though you’ll cross safely via rail tracks, the views are jaw-dropping. Another impressive photo opportunity is at Cisco Crossing, a pair of rail bridges near Lytton, B.C. One is an 812-foot-long truss arch bridge perched 220 feet over the river, and the other is a truss bridge spanning 520 feet. Just about everywhere you look, there’s a majestic sight to see.

Watch the changing landscape near Black Canyon 

The Black Canyon tunnel near Ashcroft, BC. has a storied history. The Canadian National Railway tunnel stretches 1,366 feet. (Photo: Rocky Mountaineer)
Continuing northeast, get ready to encounter the strange and wonderful sight of the confluence (or combining) of the brownish Fraser and the bright green Thompson River in Lytton. As you follow the Thompson River, watch the landscape change to a semi-arid, desert-like landscape. You’ll travel through the Black Canyon tunnel, where just a dozen days after the last spike was driven on a new rail line in 1915, the tunnel collapsed, delaying its operation for many months. En route, look out for a massive osprey nest on top of a telephone pole at an abandoned mill. Next, you’ll approach Ashcroft, one of Canada’s driest places, famous for getting fewer than 10 inches of rain each year. There, you may see thriving cattle ranches and the Highland Valley Copper Mine, which produces about four percent of the world’s copper.

Cross the powerful Kicking Horse River 

Views of the Kicking Horse River are easily enjoyed from the comfort of the top level of Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf Service coach. (Photo: Rocky Mountaineer)
As you reach the Kicking Horse River, British Columbia’s dramatic Canadian Rocky Mountains are on full display. The mountains rise up from the rushing river, favored by rafters and kayakers. Over the course of 30 miles, you’ll travel by train through the Kicking Horse Canyon, crossing the river seven times (great for all the photos your heart desires). Nearby, the railway takes guests through the Spiral Tunnels, a wonder of engineering, which were bored through Mounts Ogden and Cathedral, gaining elevation steadily over a short distance. You’ll be treated to breathtaking views between the tunnels. Finally, at an elevation of 5,338 feet, you’ll cross the Kicking Horse Pass and the Continental Divide, which divides the continent’s watersheds. Water that falls on the east side flows to the Atlantic Ocean and water that falls on the west ends up in the Pacific Ocean.

See towering Castle Mountain

Castle Mountain, located within Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, was named in 1858 by Scottish geologist Dr. James Hector for its turreted, castle-like formations. (Photo: Rocky Mountaineer)
The natural beauty and drama don’t stop along this journey. Inside Banff National Park, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of Castle Mountain, named after a series of limestone, quartzite and shale peaks which bear a striking resemblance to a natural castle. Towering 9,074 feet, the sizeable peaks make the mountain one of the most recognizable mountain formations in the Bow Valley. About 1.5 miles before you arrive at the Banff station, you’ll glide through the sparkling Vermilion Lakes. The rich network of glassy lakes and marshes are surrounded by spruce forests and are home to wildlife including beavers, moose, elk and birds.

Explore Banff, a charming mountain town