Charging across Europe from London to the fastest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar, over alpine passes and autostrada, is a drive Gavin Conway will always savour.

Ah, Italy. Home of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and Pagani. And some of the very best mountain roads to drive them on. Actually it doesn’t matter if you’re behind the wheel of a 500hp supercar or a Fiat 500 these five drives will make you fall in love.

The Swiss Alps are a cacophony of cowbells and tyre-screeching corners where, if the altitude doesn’t take your breath away, then the views most certainly will. There really is nowhere else where such a plethora of driving pleasure can be found in such close proximity. Here are five to get you started.

It’s on the Great St Bernard Pass between Switzerland and Italy that the iconic opening scenes of The Italian Job were filmed.