The Small Carpathians are the most important wine-growing region of Slovakia and, besides tasting, they also offer a variety of cultural monuments and folk traditions. It is a typical wine region with everything that belongs to it. Quality branded wines are complemented by culinary specialties of local cuisine. Gourmets can also taste in many private cellars. The southeastern slopes of the mountain range below the forest line is covered by vineyards and villages which began in the Middle Ages. Stretched out like a necklace from Bratislava to Smoleníce over 60 km these villages form the Small Carpathian Wine Route. Although Slovakia has many other vineyards, the region around Bratislava is the most significant.