The natural choice for this road would have to be all-American beauty, the 2011 Ford Mustang. This car marks the return of a legend: while former Mustang models have been overshadowed in performance by the pony's nemesis, Chevrolet's Camaro, the new 5.0-litre engine on the GT V8 Mustang is designed to deliver more power (that's 412 hp, 325lb-ft of torque and a 500-watt sound system) and is top of its class in fuel economy. The new Mustang is also surprisingly quiet - handy for creeping up on the Parkway's resident black bears and whitetail deers.

Lake District Britain

The 2011 Bentley Mulsanne has all the British charm and opulence of the Grand Touring heydays, with lashings of 21st-century technology. Despite being a hefty (almost 6,000lb) beast stretching all of 220 inches long, it's nimble on its wheels. Its massive 6.75-litre V8 twin-turbo engine can take the car from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, and has a top end of 296 km/h. The first thing you'll notice is its gigantic new headlights - a nod to the brand's 1950s S-Type - and the luxury leather interior, which could put any posh hotel to shame.

A Bentley begs to be taken for a spin through classic Cumbria, one of the most striking areas of Britain. The country's 19th-century poets were bewitched by the bucolic beauty of the Lake District, with its calm lakes, lush fells and poetic wilderness. Make your way from Cartmel to the A591 along the shore of Lake Windemere, and drive to Keswick. Bring music; it's said that the Mulsanne's 20-speaker, 2,200-watt Naim Audio system will make you discover sounds on your favourite tracks that you never knew existed. It's only an hour's drive, leaving plenty of time to stop at the villages in the area. Try Grasmere, described by William Wordsworth as 'the loveliest spot that man hath ever found'.

Great Ocean Road Australia

A blend of Italian design and World Championship-winning racing bike technology, the Ducati 1198 was born to perform. Its 1200cc, twin-cylinder engine boasts 170 hp at 9,750rpm, and an impressive 97lb-ft of torque at 8,000rpm, and is claimed to be the lightest the brand has used on its superbikes. Australia's Great Ocean Road is the perfect place to break in a thoroughbred like this, offering a challenging ride, and vistas of Victoria's rugged coastline.

Stretching 250 kilometres from Torquay to Allansford, the road curves its way along the sheer cliffs of the Surf Coast and through the lush rainforest of the Great Otway National Park. Ride the stunning stretch between popular stopover, Lorne, and the picturesque fishing village, Apollo Bay; and soak in views of the famous rock formation, the Twelve Apostles - pummelled out of the coastline by the waves. Ducati's innovative traction control system prevents the rear wheel from sliding on fast corners, so you can experience the thrill of a racing bike without the feeling of being on a kamikaze mission. Check the road conditions before heading out, and avoid public holidays so you don't get stuck behind a caravan.

Despenaperros, Spain

Audi's latest top-of-the range convertible, the R8 Spyder, is another fierce creature that needs a twisting road on which to flex its muscles. Besides its top-down sex appeal, the numbers for this sports car are enough to make any speedmeister shudder: its 525 hp V10 engine goes from zero to 100 km/h in an astonishing 4.1 seconds, reaching a top speed of 313 km/h. With its hi-tech frame in aluminium and carbon-fibre composite, equipped with a manual transmission, the Spyder weighs only 3,792 lb. Its permanent all-wheel drive negotiates corners with speed, stability and precision, making it the perfect car for the hairpin curves and deep gorges of Despe?aperros Natural Park, the canyon carved out by the Despe?aperros River in Ja?n, northern Spain.

Start in Madrid and take the National 4 to Seville, capital of Andalusia. Stop off along the way to visit Toledo and Cordoba, and steep yourself in the rich heritage left by the Moors, responsible for some of the country's most outstanding architecture. The drive can take more than six hours - long enough to fully appreciate the Spyder's comfortable interior. For added atmosphere slip some Flamenco jondo (deep) into the Bang & Olufsen sound system and enjoy blurred views of unspoilt wilderness. In Seville, reward yourself with a glass of locally produced sherry, tasty tapas and fresh seafood.

Atlantic Road Norway

For a different take on Europe, opt for the Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien) in M?re og Romsdal county, on the Norwegian coast. Voted Norwegian Construction of the Century, it's a spectacular stretch of National Road 64, with an open sea view. Ride the spectacular curves across the 12 low bridges that link the islands between Molde and Kristiansund in the western Fjords. Any time of the year the Atlantic Ocean lends a unique beauty to this journey, but many flock to it in autumn to experience the exhilarating drive as raging storms pound the road, huge waves rising up to lick the cars as they pass.

If you're planning to defy the forces of nature at its wildest, you'll want a car that makes you feel safe. Scandinavian simplicity, award-winning interior, and almost obsessive safety technology define the Volvo XC60, a small luxury crossover SUV. Although it's an award-winning family car, it has a strong turbocharged engine and plenty of character. Folding rear-seats mean that those without offspring can instead bring ridiculous amounts of luggage; 17 cubic feet of storage - that's virtually a walk-in closet. The highly efficient engine links to an intelligent all-wheel drive system that ensures power goes to the wheels continuously with the best traction. At the press of a button Hill Descent Control will help you down the Atlantic Road's steep wet slopes.

At 4225lbs with a six-speed automatic transmission, the XC60 is certainly no feather-weight, but it is lighter than many of its peers, and is considered one of the best handling crossovers of its segment. Park it and wander to the nearest fishing spot or rent a boat from the locals.

Karakoram Highway Pakistan

The Range Rover Sport has been given an overhaul for 2010, to compete with flashy counterparts from Porsche and BMW. The Supercharged Sport boasts a new Jaguar-derived supercharged 5.0-litre 510 hp V8 engine with 461 pounds per feet of thrust, making it the most powerful, high-performance Range Rover Sport ever - 31 per cent more power than the previous 4.2 litre Supercharged engine - while fuel economy has been improved by 14 per cent. With its new aggressive Titan front grille and side vents, the Sport's exterior is tougher-looking than any of its predecessors. A steering wheel-mounted paddle-operated gearshift makes for a sporty drive, while high-performance brakes cope with the extra demands of the Supercharged engine.

Test it out on the Karakoram Highway, known as the highest road in the world, connecting Pakistan and China's Xinjiang region across the other-worldly Karakoram mountain range at an altitude of 15,400 feet above sea level. The highway meanders along part of the old Silk Road route from desert landscapes to snow-capped peaks, so try the Sport's terrain response system; with six settings for varying driving conditions, from sand, rock crawl or mud, to grass, gravel or snow. Stop to catch your breath (prepare yourself for the thin alpine air) while taking in the mirror-like beauty of Karakul Lake, a 12,000-foot-high lake at the foot of the Tian Shan range, reflecting the kaleidoscopic colours of some of the world's tallest mountains. Or, pause at the road's highest point - the Khunjerab Pass - and contemplate the blissful silence that comes with being, literally, on top of the world.