I'm just about to start planning a trip to Libya in the new year. I'm looking really for a mixture of what the country has to offer, so probably spend time in the capital before visiting some classical ruins and experiencing the desert culture, and maybe if time allows kick back on a nice beach for a couple of days at the end. The obvious choice would be Tripoli, Ghadhames and Leptis Magna. Does anyone have any advice that they can offer?

The only advice I can give you is to learn to deal with all the signs being written exclusively in Arabic and don't expect everyone to be openly friendly. I don't mean that they are "unfriendly" but they seem to be merely uncertain if they should be seen talking with you. Also it might be good advice to tell you about some of the Morrocan job-less men in Libya who may see you as a "free ticket". I had a Morrocan guy follow me around who wanted me to take him everywhere and pay for all his expenses! I should have told him to "bugger off" but instead I tried to clevery avoid him ... to no avail. He seemed to be around every bloody corner of Tripoli, just waiting for me! He was obviously stalking me. He was harmless but quite a pest.

Expect everything to be "low keyed" but certainly worth the journey. The people are great, if somewhat reticent.