text: Petrol heads, take note. The world's best road has just been announced. There are few things as thrilling as accelerating past breathtaking countryside views, and now we know where to find the most thrilling stretch of tarmac possible. The N-222 road from Peso de Regua to Pinhao in Portugal has been awarded the prestigious honour. The N-222 road from Peso de Regua to Pinhao in Portugal has been awarded Best Road in the World . The highway has been named the best in the world for its location, cutting through the heart of the stunning Douro Valley and the spectacular views it provides of the wine region below. The road takes drivers along the River Douro and the picturesque regional wine towns of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretching for 27 km, the road includes heart-stopping 93 bends and jaw dropping scenery. If you can't make the trip to Portugal there are, apparently, many roads in the UK to get the pulse racing. A591 from Kendal to Keswick offers beautiful views of the banks of Lake Windermere . Avis, a car rental company who collated the data, found the A591 from Kendal to Keswick in the Lake District to be Britain's best road. The spectacular 30-mile stretch in the Lake District National Park features a winding section, offering beautiful views of Lakeland fells and the banks of Lake Windermere and Lake Thirlmere. The road was a frequent source of inspiration for poets Wordsworth and Coleridge, and whilst en route, it is even possible to see two of Wordsworth's former houses, in the pretty village of Grasmere. UK - A591 from Kendal to Keswick . UK - B3515 from Cheddar to Ashwick . UK - A535 from Holmes Chapel to Alderley Edge . France - D81 from Piana to Porto in Corsica . France - Route de Napoleon . Germany - S165 from Hohnstein to Bad Schandau . Germany - Titisee to Bad Krozingen via L126 . Germany - Bad Urach to Burg Hohenzollern . Austria - Melk to Langenlois . Italy - Portofino (GE) to Portofino Vetta (GE) Italy - The Amalfi Coast route . Switzerland - Flüela Pass from Davos to Susch . Portugal - Peso da Régua to Pinhão . Portugal - N267 São Marcos da Serra to Monchique . Portugal - N247/Avenida do Atlântico, Sintra to Praia das Maças . Spain - Zumaia to Zarauz via theN-634 . Spain - Escalona to Rios Bellosvia the HU-631 . Spain - San José (Almería) to Cabo de Gata via the ALP-822 . Romania - The Transfăgărășan aka the DN7C . Norway - The Lysebotn Road . USA - Highway 1 from Castroville to Big Sur, California . USA - The Overseas Highway from Long Point Key to Florida Keys . USA - Tail of the Dragon, North Carolina . Other celebrated UK roads include the B3515 in Somerset and A535 in Cheshire. The B3515, which runs from Cheddar to Ashwick, features 14 miles of glorious Somerset countryside, with cliff faces rising either side of the road and twists and turns a-plenty due to the gorge dictating the route. The UK's third best road, the A535, runs from Holmes Chapel to Alderley Edge in Cheshire, on which drivers pass the iconic 76 metre-wide, 90 metre-tall, Grade I listed Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. The road continues with some long straights to finish, allowing drivers to relax zoom along the final portion. According to them, there are a number of factors to take into account when determining the  best driving road. They call it the Avis Driving Ratio (ADR). Italy did well in the list scoring points for Portofino Vetta to Italy Portofino and The Amalfi Coast route . In order to create the ratio, Avis recruited experts from across quantum physics, F1 track design, high performance cars and even a world renowned British designer of rollercoasters. 'There are four key phases of a drive,' said eminent quantum physicist, Dr Mark Hadley, who led the research. 'Bends, acceleration, cruising and braking.' 'A great driving road strikes just the right balance between the phases so you get the exhilaration of speed and acceleration whilst corners test your driving capabilities and long stretches allow you to enjoy the scenery.' 'In creating the Avis Driving Ratio (ADR) we have calculated the optimum balance between those components, to scientifically establish the world's best driving roads.' The ratio has been designed to  end longstanding debate amongst car enthusiasts. The US featured on the list  and won plaudits for the Big Sur in California and the Overseas Highway in Florida . To inform and develop the ADR Dr Hadley used the geometry of the road and driving style together with the average acceleration, lateral acceleration, braking times and distances of a range of the cars on offer in the Avis Prestige fleet: Porsche Carrera 911, Jaguar XKRS and Mercedes E350. The ADR was then tested with legendary F1 track designer, Hermann Tilke and world renowned roller coaster designer, John Wardley. 'Our winning road gives drivers the right balance of tight corners with longer stretches of road. This creates a thrilling and varied driving experience that tests the driver's capabilities and provides opportunities to experience the performance of the car, whilst also giving the driver time to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views,' commented Mark Servodidio, Managing Director, Avis UK, who commissioned the research. In second place overall was Big Sur in California. For drivers wanting more of a challenge, the Nihon Romantic Highway in Japan  is full of hairpin bends, whilst in Europe, Italy's Amalfi Coast  will leave drivers holding their breath as they navigate sharp bends and take in the views when they can. The Overseas Highway in Florida is the perfect road for those looking for a low intensity yet beautiful driving experience.
target: World's best road is N-222 from Peso de Regua to Pinhao in Portugal .
  The UK's best road is deemed to be A591 from Kendal to Keswick .
  Second came the A3515 in Somerset and third was A535 in Chshire .