Thursday, April 18, 2019

Tips for Solo Travelers




Established Los Angeles business leader Youval Ziv has had a notable career encompassing several industries, including real estate, television production, and law. Outside of his professional accomplishments, Youval Ziv travels extensively and has visited dozens of countries as a solo traveler. 

While the prospect of solo travel can be daunting, discovering a new destination alone can lead to immense personal growth. Below are some tips for a great solo travel experience that minimizes safety risks.

Ask Locals - Solo travelers can rely on the people they encounter during their trip to provide essential information about the area. The hostel or hotel concierge, servers in cafes or restaurants, and other travelers can be useful resources.

Get Oriented - Travelers in major cities can use a signature landmark or main central station as a starting point to help them navigate the city. Solo travelers should also be aware of the schedules of any public transport systems and find out if taxi or rideshare services are available in the area.

Be Open - While safety precautions must be taken, solo travelers can also attract positive attention from curious locals or other people traveling alone. Solo travelers can make themselves approachable by sitting at a restaurant bar or a sidewalk cafe and inviting small talk.

Friday, August 10, 2018

What Is Paying It Forward, Really?





Youval Ziv, managing partner at Pacific Holdings Partnership in Los Angeles, California, firmly believes in the idea of paying it forward. Believers in paying it forward, like Youval Ziv, believe one of the best ways to honor a kindness done to you is to do your own kindnesses to others, rather than trying to return the favor to the initial giver.

The idea of paying it forward appears in many cultures and belief systems, including Judaism and paganism, and came back into the public consciousness after a movie of the same name was released in 2000. In this belief system, individuals may initiate such a cycle at any time, helping someone out without any expectation of repayment.

The idea of paying it forward is one of genuine altruism. Participants take no ownership of the successes of the individuals they help, and instead simply hope that the kindnesses they do in the moment will generate a better world for others, and perhaps eventually come full circle. These kind acts can be as small as buying a beverage for the person behind oneself in line, or as large as free work. There are no limits to paying it forward.

Monday, January 29, 2018

The Concept of Paying it Forward


Youval Ziv has spent nearly 15 years with Pacific Holdings Partnership in Los Angeles, California, and continues to lead the organization as a managing partner and chief executive officer. An active philanthropist, Youval Ziv strongly believes in the charitable philosophy of “paying it forward.”

The first use of the phrase “pay it forward” can be traced back to science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein’s 1951 novel “Between Planets,” which inspired the film Pay It Forward in 2000. In the film a young boy, played by Haley Joel Osment, is tasked with bringing about world change as part of a school assignment. To this end, Osment’s character develops the idea of paying it forward.

An altruistic idiom, the concept involves an individual performing a selfless deed for another person or group as a response to a good deed they have benefited from. If everyone in the world lived their lives by this philosophy, individuals would consistently enjoy charity from others while at the same time helping their fellow human beings on a regular basis, without asking for or expecting anything in return.

An early example of paying it forward involves Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Webb. Mr. Franklin provided Mr. Webb with financial assistance in 1784. In a letter to Webb, Franklin expressed a desire not to be repaid, but for Webb to assist someone else as soon as he was financially capable of doing so.

Friday, January 5, 2018

Best Cities to Visit in Cambodia


As managing partner at Pacific Holdings Partnership in Los Angeles, California, Youval Ziv is responsible for all operations regarding property development maintenance and management. In his spare time, Youval Ziv is very active and enjoys traveling to many countries, including Cambodia. Some of the top cities to visit in Cambodia are:

1. Phnom Penh. As the largest city and capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh was built by the French during the 15th-century colonial period. Tourists enjoy visiting the Royal Palace, National Museum, and the Phsar Reatrey night market where handcrafted souvenirs are sold. 

2. Battambang. The second most populous city in Cambodia, Battambang has an important place in the country’s history. Visitors can see colonial buildings along with many Buddhist shrines and Angkor-style temples. Also located in the city is Phsar Nath, or the Central Market, where tourists and locals can buy native produce and clothing. 

3. Angkor. Known as one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, Angkor is where tourists can visit the world-renowned Angkor Wat temple, the Bayon temple, and Ta Prohm. The ruins of many other temples also are located in this city, which was once the capital of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th century to the14th century.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Legends and History Surround Prague’s Charles Bridge


Southern California entrepreneur Youval Ziv, an experienced world traveler, has visited several continents. Currently the head of the real property investment company Pacific Holdings, Youval Ziv has spent a great deal of time in Western and Eastern Europe, with trips to the Baltic republics, as well as Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic. 

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is widely beloved as one of the world’s most beautiful and historically rich cities. Most tourists make sure to spend time lingering on Charles Bridge, which spans the Vltava River from the city’s Old Town side to Malá Strana (translated to mean Lesser Quarter or Lesser Town). 

Constructed under the reign of the Emperor Charles IV in the 14th Century, the stone bridge is the subject of numerous legends. One of these legends attribute the bridge’s strength and sturdiness over the centuries to builders who affixed its stones with egg yolks. Whatever the reason, the bridge has endured a steady stream of traffic since its construction, and even survived the disastrous 2002 flooding of the city. 

Each of the 30 stone statues mounted along the 515-meter-long bridge has its own story as well. The most famous of these is the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk. The Saint is easy to identify, based on the halo of bright stars surrounding his head. One superstition associated with his statue is that visitors who touch his image will surely return to Prague someday.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Membership at the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce


CEO at Pacific Holdings Partnership in Los Angeles, California, Youval Ziv is a proud member of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. Finding immense benefits both personally and professionally, Youval Ziv is part of an extensive network of businessmen and women throughout the Beverly Hills area who seek to come together for a better city.

The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce empowers businesses to prosper through networking and community events. With roots dating back to 1923, the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce has a membership of over 800 businesses in the area and works to protect the local economy.

Those who join the Chamber find that the largest benefit is the networking opportunities, with over 100 organized events per year. These events also serve as the perfect setting for up-and-coming businesses to promote themselves and be seen. The Chamber also offers plenty of discounts to its members.

While events vary each year, some annual events include a meeting with the Mayor, the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, and the Golden Palm Awards Gala. Each event recognizes businesses that have shown true excellence during the year.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Rishon LeZion, Where Education Meets Fun


Youval Ziv, CEO at Pacific Holdings Partnership in Los Angeles, California, spent his student years in Israel, earning a law degree from the College of Management Academic Studies. Just outside of Tel Aviv, Youval Ziv was able to enjoy the beauty of beachfront Rishon LeZion, home of scholars and fun-seekers alike.

The fourth largest city in Israel, Rishon LeZion, or First to Zion as translated in English, was founded in the late 1800s by Zionist pioneers from Eastern Europe. It is the home of the largest private college in the country, Israel College of Applied Science, which offers prestigious degrees in law, business, economics and more.

The Carmel Winery, dating back to the beginnings of Rishon LeZion, is located beside the detailed historical museum and memorial. Like most modern cities, shopping malls, movie theaters and restaurants dot the beautiful beachfront. For those looking for more modern entertainment, Superland, a state-of-the-art amusement park, offers roller coaster thrills, carousels, and even bungee jumping for the daring.