Showcasing the best of the west on a journey along the Pacific coastline

When asked what inspired them to explore the Pacific coastline, visitors always mention the scenery – and with good reason. Nature's spectacular panorama here is flanked by the ocean on one side and by mountain ranges, rivers and coastal wetlands on the other side.

There are many ways to explore the west, but the best way to get the most comprehensive views is by exploring by land and sea. Rocky Mountaineer, for example, offers much more than rail journeys. Add an Alaska Cruise to the beginning or end of your trip and choose from more than 40 luxurious rail-and-sail packages, with ports of call including Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan.

Photo credit: Rocky Mountaineer

Once you've said goodbye to Alaska's forests, glaciers, icefields and the sea, and returned to Vancouver, you'll head inland on a rail journey to see the most iconic sights of the Rockies, including Hell's Gate, the Spiral Tunnels, Mount Robson, Jasper, Banff or the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, depending on the route.

Here are some of the key highlights you'll see as you head out on an Alaska cruise:

Aquatic travels start in Vancouver. With so much to do, choices are limited only by how much time you have until it's time to board the ship. Visit the Vancouver Aquarium as a preamble to the Pacific Northwest sea life that you may spot later on your trip. While in Stanley Park, check out its beautiful collection of totem poles, then head to Chinatown for some old-fashion Chinese food or upmarket fusion fare.

Then it's northward, by sea, to Alaska – "the last frontier," as it's frequently described. "Most visitors are awestruck by the sheer wildness of Alaska," says Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska regional director for The Wilderness Society, a conservation organization committed to protecting 110 million acres of wildlands (uncultivated land set aside as a wilderness) in 44 states.

Alaska's pristine wilderness, notes Whittington-Evans, is "a critical habitat for humpback whales, orcas, salmon, black and grizzly bears, migratory birds and many other species."

Once you're in Juneau, the remote capital of Alaska, adventure awaits, replete with the requisite jaw-dropping views. Marvel at the sight of the massive Mendenhall Glacier from Iceberg Lake valley, join a helicopter tour of the Juneau Icefield, or set off on an afternoon scenic hike.

Cruise Ship Docked in Vancouver
Photo credit: Rocky Mountaineer

And don't miss out on a ride on the Mount Roberts Tramway, which takes visitors 550 metres (1,800 feet) above this historic town. At the summit is the Juneau Raptor Center, where you can go eye to eye, almost, with the resident bald eagle, Lady Baltimore.

During your stop at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve – a designated Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site – park rangers board the ship to share their first-hand knowledge of the region. You'll learn about the local wildlife – including humpback whales, sea otters and bears – that you might encounter later. This area is also where you can perhaps watch and hear glaciers about to calve off and plunge into the sea.

When you arrive in Sitka, the onion domes of St. Michael's Cathedral serve as a reminder of the complex history of this seaside city-borough as a former Russian settlement. Take advantage of the opportunity to watch a Russian folk dance performance by the New Archangel Dancers. Stroll through Sitka Historical National Park to view majestic well-preserved totem poles and learn about the intriguing culture of the Tlingit, a Northwest Coast people. Guests seeking more active alternatives can join guided kayaking, fishing and wildlife-viewing excursions.

In Ketchikan, take a leisurely stroll through this scenic, charmingly quirky town, followed by a visit to one of the notorious old bars on Front Street. Or you can admire up close the magnificent granite fjords and raging waterfalls of Misty Fjords National Monument via a flightseeing tour on a floatplane or by boat.

When you return to British Columbia, you may be able to dive into some of what the capital, Victoria, has in store. There is no respite from the multitude of choices of what to do and where to go in this pretty city. According to Rob Ringma, Tourism Victoria's director of sales, leisure, cruise and sport tourism, it's "the breadth and selection of unique experiences" that make a place a great destination.

Victoria certainly fits the bill. Known for its abundant parkland and British colonial past, this captivating city is no exception when it comes to myriad visitor attractions – from exhilarating whale-watching tours and the always-popular Butchart Gardens to elegant tearooms and romantic evening horse-drawn carriage rides downtown.

This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's advertising department. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.