An idyllic getaway

Long stretches of rolling greens, 18 holes, a mountain backdrop, endless and perfectly manicured surroundings where you can improve your swing ... if this sounds like music to your ears then read on.

The Golf Club Ibar in Bulgaria, Eastern Europe, is the perfect golfing retreat. A breathtaking landscape, stunning villas and real estate make up an idyllic mountain getaway.

The country golf club and spa is situated in the foothills of Mount Rila, the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula.

Although this gated community offers an ideal retreat for any golfing fanatic, if golf is not your cup of 'tee', there are plenty of other activities at the club such as spending a relaxing day at the spa.

The club is 18km from Borovets, the first Bulgarian skiing resort founded at the beginning of the 20th century.

It is also 70km from the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, and 80km from Plovdiv, the second largest Bulgarian city founded in ancient times by Philip of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great

It is an area that is steeped in history.

Dolna Bania, where this development is located, is an ancient settlement famous for its hot mineral water springs.

The well-preserved Roman Bath, the old paved Roman road, the ruins of the Venetitsa, an ancient Orthodox monastery and the small chapel located 6km from the town lend extra historic value and importance to the entire area.

Another example of the rich history that this area holds is the road to Constantinople, which runs close to the town and was used by armies, led by Emperor Baldwin of Flanders.

Transportation is also made easy with the development strategically placed less than an hour's drive from the airports of Sofia and Plovdiv.

The golf club offers privacy, great mountain views, and access to all the amenities of Golf Club Ibar from its outdoor and indoor swimming pools to its tennis courts and spa centre with hot mineral water to soothe away any aches and pains acquired through over-zealous golfing.

There is round-the-clock security surveillance, a playground for the children, a park to take long strolls, a club house, a general store and much more.

This private golfing community allows four seasons of country club living and purchasing a villa offers the chance of having a full golfing membership all year round.

Residential views overlook the rivers, greens, lakes and fairways.

There is full maintenance of villas upon request with an added charge.

There are 450 properties to choose from, including detached villas, semi-detached villas, apartment style villas and a hotel.

Single-family golf villas are available from 140,000 euros (BD77,590) and affordable golf apartments are available for 64,000 (BD35,469).