Mozambique is throwing off the shackles of war, natural disaster and disease. Families in search of a vacation destination that is truly off-the-beaten-path may want to do the same. Rolling sand dunes and sparkling azure waters await the adventuresome. But as seasoned travelers will note, there is more to this hard to reach southeast African nation than 2500 km of pristine beaches and unspoiled coral reefs. Mozambique's unique cultural heritage, architectural treasures and World Heritage Sites make it a great vacation destination for families in search of culture as well as sun.

So where to start?

Mozambique Island, Ilha de Moçambique in Portuguese, is an architectural treasure and World Heritage Site. This a fortified city in the northern Nampula province has over 800 historical buildings and it is a great place to shop for crafts made by local artisans. Maputo, in contrast, is heart and soul of modern Mozambique. It is a great place to experience the country's beat. Shop at colorful markets. Discover colonial architecture. Visit the Museu Nacional de Arte. Marvel at the murals that adorn Maputo's walls. But take care when traveling about this large urban center. Crime and petty theft are nuisances in Maputo.

Mozambique may not be a top wildlife safari destination but it is a great place for birding and whale watching. The Bazaruto Archipelago with its extensive intertidal flats is a great place to watch migratory shorebirds. Southern right whales frequent the southern Mozambique Channel from June to December. Humpback whales are spotted up and down the coast from October to December. What's more conservation initiatives underway offer great promise for the country's game viewing future. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, once complete, will link Maputo Elephant Reserve, South Africa's Kruger National Park and three conservation area's in Zimbabwe - Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area - for 35,000 square kilometers of uninterrupted savannah.

Idyllic beaches and tropical islands afford the perfect backdrop to the country's largest playground: the sea. Extensive and unspoiled coral reefs make Mozambique a top scuba diving destination. Ponta Malongane and Ponta Do Ouro may be the most popular dive sites but they aren't the only. Inhambane, Vilanculos and Pemba are excellent snorkeling and scuba diving destinations. And whether your preferred catch is marlin, sailfish or grander, Mozambique boasts some of the best game fishing in southern Africa.