Have any of you ever been to the Paul Klee Zentrum (center) in Berne, Switzerland? Or maybe the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla.? Do you even like abstract art?

I must say that while I am not fond of many of Klee’s pieces, and while some of Dali’s works have the ability to cause a nauseating feeling in my stomach, I rather enjoyed both of these places. Dali has always awed me. To Klee, on the other hand, I never truly felt a connection. Even now, after my visit to Berne, most of his paintings and drawings don’t really touch me.

However, after absorbing the exhibit of his work in the Paul Klee Center, I understood a little better where he was coming from. Along with a new understanding and appreciation for Klee’s artistic contributions, I found that sometimes the ability to travel opens doors that even the best art books haven’t been able to crack.

Even the architecture of the Center, which is located at the outskirts of the Swiss capital, stands out in stark contrast to the neighboring Bernese farm house whose image is mirrored in the glass façade of the art museum.

The order in which Klee’s work is presented helps me understand the evolution behind his art – his journey as an artist.

Interestingly enough I now enjoy looking through the pages of an art book that depicts Klee’s pieces, and while I was walking through the exhibit In Berne, I felt I hadn’t seen enough of Klee’s work. While I seem to be able to connect to a Klee drawing only when viewed in context of several pieces of his work, Dali is different for me.

Dali’s art is so powerful, energetic and all-consuming that one painting by itself has the ability to occupy and fill the mind of its viewer. Regardless whether you enjoy or despise a Dali painting, it will evoke a strong feeling that sometimes manipulates you physically. How could you not take that chance and enter the museum when your trip has brought you to its doorsteps?

Even my mother, who generally rejects abstract art (she refused to join me when I visited the Picasso Museum in Malaga), became fond of Dali’s oeuvre. While we were there, the Dali Museum hosted a travelling exhibit of Andy Warhol. It was confusing to me to see my mother prefer Dali over Warhol. For one, Warhol’s subjects are based on real things such as Campbell soup cans. Dali, on the other hand, is completely and utterly surrealistic.

Discovering that my Mom likes Dali was a surprise to me. I would have never found out if we hadn’t stopped at the museum in St. Petersburg. Travelling has the ability to show you more than what you had planned for your trip. You’re not only likely to learn about history, culture and geography, but also about the people you love who have joined your journey.