What to See & Do in Malta

Malta is a small archipelago located in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Italy. It’s one of the world’s smallest, but most densely populated countries, with just under half a million residents. The country has had various cultural influences, thanks to its location being greatly coveted by larger countries. It also has evidence of neolithic civilizations, which created structures that still stand today. Since the 1960s, Malta is an independent nation with incredible tourist destinations and a rich and varied history.

Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni

The Hypogeum is a Neolithic structure, located underground in Malta, that dates to at least 3000 BC. It was most likely a sanctuary and necropolis, based on the tombs found there. The Hypogeum is connected to the people who constructed the Megalithic Temples of Malta. Also labeled a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Hypogeum features various levels and is stunning to visit. Plan to get your tickets far in advance because only 10 people are allowed into this site every hour in order to help preserve it.

Mdina and Rabat

These two cities are located right next to one another on the Island of Malta. Mdina features an incredible castle that looks as though it came straight out of a fairytale. You’ll feel like you’re traveling to the past as you walk through the stunning Main Gate and make your way to the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Make sure to check out Mdina’s impressive palazzos as well! Since these two cities are fairly small, after visiting Mdina, head over to Rabat to see Casa Bernard and the Roman Villa for a taste of more history.

Valletta

This capital city is completely elegant and stunning, thanks to the work of the Knights of Malta, European nobleman who were given the islands by the King of Spain in 1530. It’s simple to make your way through the city because of the simple grid plan. While here, make sure you visit Saint John’s Co-Cathedral. Knights from various countries worked together to design this worship center and the brilliant architecture shows the care and attention that went into it. You can also visit the Grand Master’s Palace, which was home to the Knights.

Gozo

Gozo is a much smaller island than Malta, but it’s still a place worth visiting. If you want to relax and still see incredible sights, head to Gozo. There are pristine beaches, along with various small towns that have a very local feel to them. Visit Victoria, a medieval city, or Marsalforn, the island’s seaside resort. Also make sure to find time to visit the Ggantija Temples, dating back to 3500 BC.

Megalithic Temples

While at Gozo, take time to visit the Megalithic Temples located there, many of which are labeled as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are some of the oldest free-standing structures on the entire planet, so you definitely want to see them. These temples were built over thousands of years, so you can see developments made in architecture along the way.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Crete

Recently, my family and I paid a visit to the beautiful island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and also home to the most people. Besides the main island, the region of Crete also includes several smaller islands in the water near Crete. While Crete is one of the Greek Islands and shares much with the mainland, it also has it’s own, unique culture that’s distinct from the rest of Greece. Part of this unique culture can likely be attributed to Crete being the home of the ancient Minoan civilization, which was the earliest recorded European civilization, between 2600 and 1100 BC. Here are some of the top places to see in Crete; it’s definitely an island worth seeing!

Knossos Palace

Knossos Palace is believed to the home of the legendary King Minos, for whom the Minoans were named after. There’s a large interior courtyard at the Palace, which was used for the Minoan pastime of “bull-leaping.” Knossos is the most popular attraction on Crete and you can easily spend half a day touring the ruins of the palace, which once had over 1,200 rooms, and learning about the Minoan people.

Samaria Gorge

Pay a visit to the Samaria Gorge National Park on Crete. This beautiful location is home to an 18-kilometer long gorge. Simply looking down into and along the Gorge provides beautiful views, but if you’re more athletic, you can hike the path down the Gorge, which will take around five hours, depending on your fitness level. The summer is perfect for hiking the Gorge, but come winter, the river bed floods and it’s not nearly as simple to navigate. If you walk the entire length of the Gorge, you’ll end up with a stunning view of the Libyan Sea.

Rethymnon Old Town

This town is a lovely mix of Venetian architecture, Crete culture, and slight Turkish influences. There are lots of shops and restaurants to visit that are run in historic buildings, along with a sandy beach that makes it a wonderful town to get a taste of local history along with some beach time. It’s also located between Chania and Heraklion, so it’s easy to get to many of the island’s main attractions.

Heraklion

This city is the current capital of Crete and the best place to stay if you’re planning on visiting Knossos. You can take a ship from Athens to Heraklion or fly in. The city has a rich culture and beautiful layout, thanks to the Venetians who had control of the island for a few hundred years. Heraklion and the area around it has produced notable artists, such as El Greco.

Chania

This town is the largest in western Crete and was also the capital of the island until 1971. Chania is picturesque, with small alleys and beautifully colored buildings. There’s even an open market to visit, with delicious foods. The town overlooks the Aegean Sea and sits in front of the snow-capped White Mountains.

4 Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

First of all, if you don’t already have one, it’s time to find a financial advisor. All too often, people make financial errors that could be easily avoided if they work with a financial advisor. Lots of people do not start thinking seriously about topics like retirement, sending their children to school, or making large purchases and investments until the time comes to face that specific task. It’s time to find yourself a financial advisor!

Once you’ve decided to speak with an advisor, it’s important to do the correct amount of research and work to find the one who’s the best for you. The last thing you want to do (next to not getting a financial advisor at all) is simply picking the first person you come across and trusting that they’re the best fit for you. Here are some questions to ask when you’re looking for a financial advisor.

Are they a fiduciary?

This question is one of the first you’ll want to ask because it’s an important one. A fiduciary is someone who works as an advisor and has a duty to genuinely work toward their clients’ best interests. Unfortunately, many advisors are not fiduciaries, which means they do not have to disclose certain information to clients. Oftentimes, advisors make commission off certain stocks. A fiduciary is upfront with you, letting you know if they make a profit and if the investment is actually best for you. Find someone who has your best interests in mind.

What kind of experience do they have?

There are various licenses and certifications a financial advisor can receive. Learn which of these your potential advisor has and then do research to determine if they’re the best fit for your specific needs. It’s also helpful to know how long your advisor has been working in the industry and what type of clients they’ve worked with previously.

How do they profit?

This question is also very important because it helps you understand where your money will be going. The two most common ways financial advisors profit is through upfront fees or billed fees and receiving a percentage of the investments you make through them. It’s important to understand how you’ll pay for their services and then keep track of how much it’s costing you. If an advisor is automatically taking a percentage of your investments, make sure you’re aware of how much it’ll be and keep track of it to make sure you’re comfortable with the amount that’s being paid.

How involved are they with your financial portfolio?

Some advisors help you set up initial investments and then are relatively hands-off while others constantly re-evaluate your portfolio and see where improvements could be made. Decide what kind of financial advisor you want and then begin asking questions to find someone who uses the method that you prefer.

After you’ve asked a financial advisor these questions, take a few days to think over which advisor would be the best fit for you. No matter how great their answers to your questions were, it’s up to you to decide if you’d be comfortable working with them. Find the financial advisor who gives you the best answers and also seems like someone you’d be happy communicating with and then begin working with them.

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Traveling through Portugal

Recently, my family and I visited Portugal and spent time in Cascais and Lisbon. I absolutely recommend finding time to visit these two beautiful places; you won’t regret it! Portugal is a beautiful country and has a great location on the water. One of the best parts about living in Europe is how accessible other countries are. Countries are so easy to travel to and are only a few hours away by plane, train, or car. I’m hoping to take advantage of these opportunities to travel as much as possible! Here are some of the highlights in Cascais and Lisbon that you should make an effort to see if you’re there.

Lisbon: This city has a rich history and is the current capital of Portugal. It sits on the edge of the Iberian Peninsula, against the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon is considered vitally important because it has huge finance, commerce, entertainment, and art industries. Since it has one of the largest ports in Europe, it’s considered a very important city when it comes to transporting goods. There are many beaches outside of the city and even though it sits against the water, it’s also situated in a hilly country. The city contains rich architecture, developed over centuries, and has signature pastel-colored buildings.

National Tile Museum – Lisbon is renowned for the stunning Portuguese tiles around the city, many of which you can find as you stroll around. However, you can also visit the National Tile Museum and see truly stunning pieces of artwork.

Monastery of St. Jerome – The monastery features Gothic architecture and was built in the 1500s, and remains an incredible attraction for Lisbon today.

Feira da Ladra – If you’re looking for authentic gifts from Lisbon, check out Feira da Ladra, a huge flea market located in Lisbon that often has incredible finds.

Castle of Sao Jorge – One of the best-known attractions in Lisbon, the castle sits on the edge of the city and provides breath-taking views of the city.

Santa Justa Elevator – Considered an engineering marvel when it was first built, this stone elevator provides stunning views of the city to anyone who travels up it.

Cascais: This city also sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and has incredible beaches. It’s now a popular tourist spot, likely because it was once the vacation destination for the royal family, when it was still a small fishing village. Now, the city has plenty of restaurants, hotels, and sights to see, including various old ruins. Like Lisbon, mountains sit close behind the town and can be reached easily. In addition to beautiful beaches, there are cliffs at the edge of the city, which provide gorgeous views of the ocean.

Boca do Inferno – A simple walk from the Cascais marina, Boca do Inferno is a group of cliffs that sit against the Atlantic Ocean. You can see where the roof of the cave collapsed and created a hole that reveals the waves from under the cliffs.

Cascais to Estoril Promenade – A leisurely walk, this promenade takes you along the beach, past beautiful houses and various restaurants. If you don’t feel like walking back once you get to the end, it’s easy to get the train back to Cascais.

Casa de Santa Maria – This stunning house, built in the 19th century, is open to the public to tour and offers gorgeous views of the marina and coastline. After visiting this home, you can head to the museum in the lighthouse next-door!

5 Tips for Traveling with a Toddler

Travel can often be rough on anyone. Sometimes, there are just trips that take a lot out of you and require considerable planning and moderate amounts of discomfort (we’ve all been squeezed onto an airplane or bus with way too many other people, right?). Or, when you’re seeing a new place, you want to walk all around and see everything to get the true experience. At the end of the day, you’re exhausted, but you don’t want to miss a single sight. For many people, this difficulty with travel only increases when they need to take young children with them. You could have the best-behaved child in the entire world, but when she’s been traveling all day and is tired, it can be even more challenging to keep going. It can be quite formidable to keep a toddler entertained and happy while traveling, but here are some tips on how you can make everyone’s lives easier.

Plan everything in advance

You may take this step already, but it’s vitally important to reinforce it. Traveling with a child means you may have to plan special accommodations or make sure times work out so you have enough time to get where you need to be. You don’t want to be rushing to catch a connecting flight when you have a toddler in tow. Also, you don’t want to plan to go on some great tour somewhere and find out that children under a certain age cannot go or there are times that are better for a family to visit. Plan around the busy times, get all your tickets and accommodation reservations beforehand, and see if there are fun activities for children wherever you’re going.

Take plenty of distractions

Kids need to be constantly stimulated or they’ll get cranky. You’re likely not up to entertaining your child the entire time you’re traveling, so make sure you have games and interesting activities to keep her busy. When you’re on vacation, make sure you take children places they’ll enjoy as well and not just somewhere you want to see.

Make sure everyone’s fed

This tip is incredibly important for everyone, including you. People get cranky and feel sluggish when they are hungry and not properly hydrated. Have your family eat a full meal before travel and you’ll feel much more at ease! Also avoid giving children a lot of sugar, because they’ll be hyperactive and then crash, leaving you with a severely grumpy child. A solid night of rest is also advisable, so you all feel up to traveling and doing plenty of awesome activities!

Have everything they need

If your child requires medicine, triple check to make sure you packed it. For all other items, make a detailed packing list and then spend time gathering all the items and packing them. You do not want to go somewhere only to find out you left all of your child’s shoes at home or didn’t bring any diapers.

Get a tracking device

No one wants to talk about the possibility of their child getting lost while traveling, but it’s something that could happen. Consider investing in a tracking device you can clip onto your child’s shirt, so you know where she is at all times and it can also be used to contact you if your child goes missing and someone finds her. At the same time, instill the importance of staying with you in your toddler and watch her closely.

Cultivating Professionalism in Your Career

No matter what industry you work in, you’ll want to develop a professional image that shows you’re serious about your job and are a responsible individual. Mastering professionalism is particularly important to younger professionals, who haven’t gotten much experience in their industry and need to rely on how they first present themselves when it comes to landing a job or internship. Learn some tips to cultivating professionalism in your career and you’ll see the positive changes!

Engage in active listening

A huge mistake people make is talking too much, which is definitely a mistake if you aren’t completely sure what you’re talking about. At work, you certainly need to speak up if you have ideas or suggestions, but it’s also vital that you learn how to listen to other people. Instead of monopolizing a conversation, give others a chance to offer their opinion and sincerely listen to what they’re saying, by asking questions and looking at them. If you show that you’re an active and attentive listener, people will respect you and notice your attention to detail.

Learn a new skill

You should never stop learning and this fact is particularly important when it comes to your career. Take a class online or enroll in one at a local school. Find a topic that pertains to your job (or even one that doesn’t and you’re just interested in it) and teach yourself. With the internet, you can find tutorials and information on nearly anything, so you don’t have an excuse when it comes to finding resources. Consider teaching yourself another language! Any skill you develop can have value in the workplace if you learn how to utilize it correctly.

Examine your online presence

Many people make the mistake of posting every detail of their lives online and never consider how it looks to a potential employer or future coworkers. Make sure what you post online is private or completely appropriate no matter who views it. Quite a few people have lost their jobs over something they’ve posted online, so think before you get into an online argument with someone and never post negative or private information about work on the Internet.

Attend networking events

If you work in a city, it’s almost a certainty that there will be some kind of professional group that regularly hosts networking events. Make an effort to attend these events, at least once a month. It’ll help you to interact with other professionals and make great connections, even if they’re in different industries. Networking is a great tool and you should absolutely use it to cultivate your professional image. Invite other people from work to join you and you’ll create connections with people in your office as well.

Display a positive attitude

While you absolutely do not always have to be perky and upbeat, avoid complaining at work. Never complain about a coworker or your boss to someone you work with and try to keep complaints about your work light and infrequent. If your manager believes you have a negative attitude, you’ll be viewed as less suitable for the job and could miss out on promotions and larger responsibilities.

Always be prepared

Be prepared for work, no matter what you’re doing. If you have a call with a client or a meeting, prepare notes beforehand and think through what you’re going to say. If you have a presentation, practice for a few days ahead of time so you know what you’re going to say and are ready for any questions. Even if you’re having an informal meeting with one other person, jot a few notes and go into the meeting with a clear head and focused mindset.

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What to Consider Before Asking for a Flexible Work Schedule

Flexible schedules are becoming increasingly common in the workplace. There are various reasons why someone would want to work a flexible schedule; maybe you’re a new parent, have a difficult commute, or have a chronic illness. With technological advances, many jobs can be done from the comfort of an employee’s home. If you’re looking for a more flexible work schedule, there are various options, such as working from home full- or part-time, working earlier or later hours in the office, or only coming into the office a few days during the week and spending the rest of the time at home. If you think a flexible work schedule is something you want to ask your employer for, consider a few points before making the plunge!

Know if it’s best for you

While working a more flexible schedule may sound incredibly appealing to you (it probably appeals to most people, honestly), it’s vital that you consider whether or not it’s the best choice. Some people work better spending time in the office, because they can get easily distracted by what they have to do at home. For others, they feel left out if they aren’t in the office every day, socializing. Working remotely poses its own challenges that you need to consider as well. Be honest with yourself about your organization skills and whether or not you can separate work from home while working remotely.

Decide what you want

Like I mentioned above, working remotely isn’t your only option when it comes to a flexible schedule. You can choose to put in extra hours on some days and switch to a four-day work week. You can go into the office later and stay later to avoid a difficult commute. You can work a set number of days from home each month and you can decide when you want to use those work-from-home days. The first step to creating a flexible work schedule is to decide what type of flexible schedule works for you.

Consider how it benefits your company

If you want to make a truly convincing argument, you’ll need to learn how to present your request for a different schedule in a way that highlights the way being a flexible employee benefits your company. Your employer will be infinitely more likely to agree to let you switch to a flexible schedule if you can show her that it ultimately benefits the company as well and one of your focuses is making sure the company does well.

Outline what you’ll say

Once you’ve determined what you want, it’s time to plan how you’ll ask for it. You cannot just walk into a meeting and ask for a drastically different schedule without rehearsing what to say ahead of time. Write down what you want and the points you’ll make to convince your supervisor that a flexible schedule is a good decision. Rehearse your talking points a few times before your actual meeting, so you’re comfortable with what you’re talking about and can remember all your points.

Wait for the best opportunity

Finally, you need to learn when to ask for your new schedule. You don’t want to go into your boss’s office first thing Monday morning and ask to spend less time in the office. Timing is particularly important if your workplace doesn’t have a precedent for working a flexible schedule, because it’ll take more convincing to get what you want. Wait to ask for a different schedule until you’ve landed a big sale, closed a huge deal, or had a really productive week. When you’re sure that your boss recognizes your devotion to your work and your talent, it’s a good time to ask for a flexible work schedule.

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The VM Protocol: What Is It and What Does It Mean?

In the financial industry, some major events are occurring. On March 1st of this year, the Variation Margin Protocol (VM Protocol or VM Big Bang) officially went into effect in order “to help market participants comply with new rules on margin for uncleared swaps, by providing a scalable solution to amend derivatives contract documentation with multiple counterparties. The Protocol addresses documentation changes necessary to comply with the variation margin requirements.” These documentation changes are applicable to many companies and people who are involved in the market. For an in-depth explanation of the rules and what they mean, check out this post for an explanation of the rules.

What is the VM Protocol?

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) developed and published the VM Protocol in order to help those companies and people involved in the market to adjust to the new margin rules that are going into effect this year. The VM Protocol is a way to help these entities ensure that they “create new or amend existing credit support documentation to reflect the requirements of the Margin Rules.”

The Protocol mainly focuses on parties that may be affected by the new Margin Rules that apply to uncleared derivative trades. The VM Protocol allows those affected to choose one of three options: “amend any existing credit support annex (“CSA”) to become compliant with the Margin Rules, retain existing CSAs and enter into new CSAs based on the existing CSA (with changes necessary to satisfy the Margin Rules), or enter into new CSAs based on ISDA’s 2016 Credit Support Annex for Variation Margin (VM).”

How does the VM Protocol help?

If you’re someone who is going to be affected by the new Margin Rules, you’re likely wondering how the VM Protocol can help you out. Benefiting from the Protocol is a two-step process done through the ISDA. First, you must send the ISDA a letter stating your intention to adhere to the VM Protocol. Your second step is to take a questionnaire, either online or as a hard copy, and then send that questionnaire to the ISDA. All of the adherence resources can be found on ISDA’s website. As of right now, there is no cut-off date for complying with the Protocol, but the ISDA does have the right to set one.

Being proactive is the best way to get ahead of these Margin Rules. By learning whether or not your interests are protected by the VM Protocol and how to go about adhering to the Protocol, you can protect yourself and other parties and continue doing successful business.

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What Does Hostage Negotiation and Your Business Have in Common?

As a senior negotiator and ISDA manager with Axiom Law, I know first hand the importance of closing a deal and winning big contracts. Starting off in this line of work had its up and downs throughout the business, but overall, the skills that I’ve acquired with over 11 years of experience under my belt really makes what I do worth wild.

By negotiating large-scale deals with international businesses, and local companies, I provide the opportunity for both parties to acquire what they need in any given deal if an offer is placed on the table.

Many people do not understand how both negotiation and business work simultaneously with one another. For starters, many are under the assumption that only FBI agents and police officers use negotiation tactics or are qualified to do to, however this in not the case and a common misconception across the board.

It is important to understand that for small businesses and entrepreneurs, the possibility of someone pulling a “fast one” is high and very likely. Here is where hostage negotiation skills can work in your favor to catch a shady deal before you sign on the dotted line.

Interpreting shifty body language

The commonly used phrase “actions speak louder than words” goes a long way when examining the body language of a potential friend or foe. You want to pay attention to the person’s eyes and whether or not they appear to be shifty when reviewing the deal or going over talking points.

The key here is to look for the truth based on direct or indirect eye contact that the person may be displaying. Although this is not a dead give away to knowing if you are being lied to, it’s a great indicator in the world of negotiation.

The mirroring effect

Ask any great negotiator and they will tell you that the “mirroring effect” works wonders! This technique allows others to open up to you if used correctly.

In any negotiation, you want the other person to reveal any information available in order to make your final decision. Mirroring is simply mimicking of minor body movements, gestures, and language. During your next big meeting, try to see if you can pick up on this skill, and use it to your advantage.  

Although you will not be able to clearly decipher whether or not someone is being honest with you when conducting business, remember to always rely on your gut instincts and professionalism to see you through. With the help of the above tips along with expert knowledge, you’ll be one your way in seeing through the smoke at the next meeting.

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4 Questions to Ask When Negotiating Your Salary

When applying for new jobs and going through the interview process, it can be intimidating to talk about starting wages with your new employer. At first, job-seekers tend to take what they are given due to the excitement of being employed with a new company. However, later down the line, many applicants find that they are not earning enough wages to maintain their way of living, thus resulting in frustration, work-life dissatisfaction, and regret.

According to The Creative Group, before heading into negotiation mode, you want to think about your previous salary history and how changes to that amount may affect you later down the line. To help combat the anxiety that you may experience while negotiating your salary, here are 4 questions that you want to ask up front before taking the next steps with a new employer.

Are you open to discussing salary?

First and foremost before speaking up for yourself, you want to take into consideration that your new employer has given you a fair salary to start with. Assume that this is the best starting rate for the position in which you are applying for, but understand that many employers expect that negotiation will be apart of this process, so it’s okay to ask before shooting out numbers.

What does the salary package include?

Keep in mind that you want to appear to be open and flexible when discussing salary options, but you also want to know what is included in your hiring package. This will include insurance benefits, paid time paid off, vacation days, 401(k) contributions, education and training reimbursement, and parental leave.

Is there room for salary growth/promotion?

If this is a company that you see being a long-term choice, you want to ask the pressing question of payment increases or possible promotional growth over time. This is also great general knowledge to be aware of in case you dream of making big strides within your initial role.

Are there any bonus incentives?

Working in sales or competitive marketing fields, chances are there may be some type of bonus structure set in place that you should be aware of. Many companies do not highlight this aspect of the company because it may mean breaking the company bank if top performers are doing well.

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