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A traveler will be rewarded if he or she takes time to venture from outside Faro's walls into the surrounding areas. There are many coach tours (see hotel bulletin boards) while car hire is widely available. Gula is a small town in the Algarve that's well worth including in an itinerary. It is located near the Highway No. 125 and was established during Roman times, it was called Alfontes by the Arabs – which loosely means 'the water spring'. It is the site of the chapel of Nossa Sr da Guia built probably built around the 15th century (the town's ultimate name is derived from the chapel's appellation). The chapel was where an apparition of the Virgin Mary was seen, as a consequence, the town drew pilgrims from all over the Algarve and beyond as they made their way to offer prays, offering and requests at the sacred site. While the modern pilgrimage is not on the same scale of Lourdes, Knock or similar towns, it still remains an important focus for the Christian community and its annual fair held from October 7th to 9th held in and around the chapel area is always popular, featuring a large influx of visitors. |