Things to see and do in Libya

Tripoli's spectacular fortress houses a maze of courtyards and buildings, situated on a promontory above the city. Particularly worthwile is the Jamahiriya Museum, designed in conjunction with UNESCO, next to the castle on the Green Square.

Berber villages are scattered throughout the more remote mountain area of the Jebel Nafousa, but the unusual mud-brick architecture of the Berber grain storage houses in Nalut, Kabaou and Kasr Elhaj is particularly interesting.

It takes a particular skill to slide in a 4WD down a steep 80m- (262ft-) high sand dune, in the Idehan Merzuq Sand Sea - a stunning infinity of sand dunes - or to drive over black rocks for several hours to go and see the amazing pre-historic rock carvings in Wadi Metkandoush, but you can always cool off with a swim in the palm-fringed salty Ubari Lakes.

The unique desert oasis town, known as the 'Pearl of the Desert', is in the western region, 800km (500 miles) southwest of Tripoli. The UNESCO-protected old town's unique architecture consists of whitewashed mud-brick walls, covered labyrinthine walkways and elaborate orchard gardens with date palms, pomegranate and orange trees and vegetables.

Roman cities are well-preserved in Libya but nowhere can you imagine just how good the Romans had it as in Villa Sileen. Come to the house late afternoon, after visiting Leptis Magna, and feel the sea breeze on the wonderful terrace.

The old souks and winding lanes of the capital, Tripoli, with its traditional mosques and khans (inns/warehouses), have particular streets given to spices, gold, bridal fabrics made from a desert plant and animal skins.

The gorgeous scenery and cooler climate of the Jebel al-Akhdar (Green Mountains) or the Jebel Nafusa in the west are ideal for trekking but you will have to work out your own routes as few tour companies organise walking trips.