I grew up in South-eastern Sicily surrounded by flamboyant baroque architecture craving for the simplicity and austerity of medieval buildings. This part of Sicily was wiped out by an earthquake in 1693 and was rebuilt at the time when 'barocco' was in fashion, so there are few examples of medieval architecture still standing. This is why I was so fascinated by gothic and medieval buildings. As we say "L'erba del vicino è sempre più verde" (The grass is always greener on the other side), we always want what we cannot have! But after a long period abroad, I returned to Italy and fell back in love with this incredible style which has dotted the peninsula with impressive masterpieces, starting from the 'Meraviglie Barocche' by Bernini, Borromini and Caravaggio in Rome. This week we put together some travel tips on how to enjoy the best monuments created by these amazing 'maestri' in the capital and dedicated our Italy's Treasures series to Bernini, the leading sculptor and architect of the time and a fitting successor to Michelangelo. But what really revamped my interest and love for everything baroque in Italy is the most ephemeral art product of the time, the Infiorate festivals, flower carpets, lasting no longer than two or three days, which decorate the streets and piazzas of various Italian towns, usually, on the Corpus Domini (Corpus Christi) day. So if your are ever accused of being too flamboyant and over the top, just say that a certain Bernini taught you that at times 'more is simply more'!