Author: openjargon

• Kate Middleton attended the Wimbledon Championships men's singles final in London on Sunday.
• It's the second time she's been officially seen in public since revealing her cancer diagnosis.
• Middleton was photographed at the match alongside her daughter Princess Charlotte.

Kate Middleton attended the Wimbledon men's singles final alongside Princess Charlotte on Sunday.

It marked the Princess of Wales's second official public engagement since she announced in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing "preventative chemotherapy."

She also attended Trooping the Colour, a celebration to mark the monarch's official birthday, last month.

Take a look at the photos from the princess's return to Wimbledon.

Kate was spotted arriving to watch the final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic

The Princess of Wales took a seat in the royal box to watch the match between last year's winner, Carlos Alcaraz, and seven-time Wimbledon champion, Novak Djokovic.

Kate has been the patron of the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since taking over the role from the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2016.

The tournament, held in southwest London, has been a staple event in her diary for years. Many spectators look forward to seeing the royal's fashion choices for the event, which also attracts Hollywood stars, international figures, and British national treasures.

For the occasion, she wore a full-length purple dress

Kate opted for a full-length purple dress by Safiyaa London, which featured cap sleeves and a purple and navy tartan brooch shaped like a bow.

The original dress retails for £1,295 (around $1,650).

The princess paired her ensemble with nude pumps and an LK Bennett bag.

The royal completed her look with a pair of gold hoop earrings and gold bangles on her right arm.

Her daughter, Princess Charlotte, joined her at the tennis tournament for the second time

The Princess of Wales made the final day of Wimbledon a family affair, bringing along her daughter Princess Charlotte.

Prince William has traditionally accompanied his wife to Wimbledon, but he has traveled to Berlin to watch England take on Spain in the final of the men's soccer European Championships.

Charlotte, 9, made her first appearance in the royal box at Wimbledon in 2023.

Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton, also attended the match

In the royal box, Princess Charlotte sat between her aunt and her mother.

Other celebrities in attendance at the match included Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Kensington Palace announced that Kate would be attending the event the day before

As with Trooping the Color, Kate's attendance at the final was only announced by Kensington Palace the day before.

"The Princess of Wales, Patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, will attend the Gentlemen's Singles Final of The Championships, Wimbledon on Sunday 14th July," Kensington Palace shared in a brief statement.

She did not attend the women's singles final between Jasmine Paolini and Barbora Krejčíková on July 13. In previous years, Kate has attended both single finals and presented the winners of each match with their trophies.

The Wimbledon All-England Club issued a statement confirming that chairwoman Debbie Jevans would present the trophy on her behalf.

As with Trooping the Color, Kate's appearance at the Wimbledon final was a welcome surprise

Many thought that Kate would be stepping away from public and royal duties while she undergoes "preventative chemotherapy."

But the princess had previously hinted that she would "join a few public engagements over the summer."

"I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal," Kate said in a statement.

Kate awarded the trophy to Alcaraz after he beat Djokovic

Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in the men's final.

Kate left the royal box and appeared on the playing court to present Alcaraz with the coveted trophies. The official Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account celebrated the event with two posts on Sunday.

"There's nothing quite like The Championships," the first post read.

The second congratulated Alcaraz on his "remarkable victory."

• Biden's support among rank-and-file Democrats is quickly evaporating.
• A new poll found that 65% of Democrats want him to withdraw from the 2024 race.
• Democratic lawmakers continue to question Biden's viability, and 20 have called on him to withdraw.

In the wake of a disastrous debate performance, a series of defiant interviews, and a public dispute among Democrats about his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden's support among rank-and-file Democrats has seemingly evaporated.

According to an AP-NORC poll released on Wednesday, 65% of Democrats want him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election so that a different candidate can step forward.

That includes 49% of Black voters, a group that has historically been a source of strength for the president.

No Black lawmakers have publicly called for Biden to step aside yet, though Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri said last week that her office has been flooded with calls from constituents asking her to call on Biden to withdraw.

The poll, which was conducted from July 11-15 and included 1,253 respondents nationwide, also found that 48% of Democrats were not confident in Biden's mental capacity to be an effective president. That's a substantial increase from the 32% of Democrats who said the same in February.

Vice President Kamala Harris, arguably the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the event that Biden does step aside, also enjoys higher favorability ratings with the general public than the president, according to the poll.

48% of respondents held an unfavorable view of Harris, compared to 58% who said the same of Biden. Meanwhile, 43% held a favorable view of Harris, versus just 38% for Biden.

In the weeks since the debate, Biden has insisted that he will remain in the race, despite 20 congressional Democrats publicly calling for him to withdraw.

The offers and details on this page may have updated or changed since the time of publication. See our article on Business Insider for current information.

• As a frequent traveler, I rely on travel credit cards to save money and earn rewards. 
• I love using my Chase United℠ Explorer Card, which comes with a $0 intro for the first year, then $95 annual fee.
• The card gets me perks like priority boarding on United flights, free checked bags, and more.  

Travel credit cards are hotter than ever, with over 41% of Americans having a card that provides travel rewards.  However, with many cards offering lounge access, statement credits, and travel insurance, some cards' annual fees have climbed to nearly $700 a year. 

As a frequent traveler, I have and use a credit card with a high annual fee. However, I've paired it with the United℠ Explorer Card, which has a much lower annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95.

This card, included in Business Insider's guide to the best airline credit cards, offers a surprisingly robust number of benefits, from priority boarding on United flights to statement credits that can be redeemed for a DashPass membership.

Here are some of the perks I get from using my United℠ Explorer Card.

As a United℠ Explorer Card cardholder, I always get priority boarding

Some travelers may not care which boarding group they're in, but I am not one of them. Whether I'm traveling with a carry-on and want to ensure I have space in the overhead compartment or just want to get myself situated and comfortable before a flight, boarding in a priority group is important to me. As a United℠ Explorer Card cardholder, I am always in a priority-boarding group. 

Every four years, I get a statement credit of up to $100 for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS 

Although traveling can be a test of patience, I've found that having an expedited security process can make the experience much smoother. That's why I love that my United℠ Explorer Card reimburses me for services like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and NEXUS.

I've traveled with TSA PreCheck for years, and recently became a Global Entry member (which includes PreCheck). Both programs are valid for five years, with PreCheck costing $78 to apply and Global Entry costing $100. 

NEXUS, which allows for expedited entry between the US and Canada, is also valid for five years and costs $50 to apply. 

If I charge the application fee for one of these services to my United℠ Explorer Card, I get reimbursed on my statement once every four years, effectively making the membership free. 

The first checked bag is free for me and a companion on my reservation

Although many people aim to travel using only a carry-on, it's not always possible to do so. Checked bag fees have only increased, with one bag costing $40 to check on United flights.

However, if you're a United℠ Explorer Card cardholder, you and your companion (on the same reservation) get your first bags checked for free when purchasing flights using the card. 

I get two United Club one-time-use lounge passes a year

Airport lounges are popping up everywhere, generally as a benefit of a high-annual-fee credit card or for those flying in first or business classes. But if you want the benefit of a lounge without high spending, the United℠ Explorer Card includes two one-time lounge passes a year for United Club use, which typically cost $59 apiece.

I've used my one-time passes when I have a long layover or a delayed flight to access a United Club for complimentary food, drinks, and a quiet place to wait for my flight. This benefit alone exceeds the entire cost of the card's annual fee.

The card comes with lots of added travel protections

For a card with a low annual fee, the United℠ Explorer Card packs a punch with travel insurance protections. This card includes lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3,000 per passenger), trip delay reimbursement (after 12 hours of delay, up to $500 per ticket for unreimbursed expenses), baggage delay insurance (after 6 hours of delay, up to $100 for three days), and trip cancellation or interruption insurance (up to $1,500 per person).

When booking my travel with the United℠ Explorer Card, these perks allow me to travel with much more peace of mind. In fact, I've personally used both the baggage delay and trip delay insurance without any issues. 

I receive 25% back on in-flight purchases

Another benefit I really love is that United℠ Explorer Card cardholders receive 25% back on in-flight purchases on United flights. This includes food, alcoholic beverages, and even WiFi purchases. Since I travel often, this perk makes a huge difference for me. 

The card also comes with a complimentary one-year membership to DashPass 

The United℠ Explorer Card offers one year of complimentary DashPass membership, which can be used on DoorDash and Caviar. The benefit, normally $10 a month, offers various benefits like $0 delivery fees on orders that meet the minimum spend. If you regularly have food delivered at home or while traveling, these fees add up, making the membership a great money-saving benefit. 

I also get primary rental car insurance

I often rent cars during my travels, and having as much coverage as possible when driving them is important to me. The United℠ Explorer Card includes primary rental car insurance coverage. This means that I'm eligible for reimbursement up to the vehicle's actual cash value for theft and collision damage for most rental cars within the US and abroad. With primary coverage, I also don't have to first file a claim with my own auto insurance company.

• All-inclusive packages handle flights and accommodations in one swoop, which can make planning easy.
• But booking separately gives you more control over your stay.
• Planning a vacation is personal, so review all of your options before booking anything. 

From hotels to flights, there's a lot to consider when mulling over maximizing your bottom dollar while still locking down the vacation of your dreams.

Should you book that enticing all-inclusive deal? Or, should you do your own homework and book your trip independently of a vacation package?

Many travelers may consider this question. Before you pack your bags, consider when you should book an all-inclusive vacation and when you should book separately.

All-inclusive packages handle all of your travel plans, which can be very convenient

If you're someone who doesn't like to think about the details too often, then an all-inclusive option could be a good option for you. According to Travelzoo's senior editor Gabe Saglie, booking an all-inclusive vacation package can make the entire trip planning process much easier.

"The convenience of all-inclusive is that it does all of the homework for you. You are presented with this mapped out series of days," Saglie told Business Insider. "It can make the planning aspect of a vacation easier."

Packages can be limiting in terms of what each bundle offers, but not always

When you decide to book separately, you're in control of where you stay, what airline you fly, and the types of activities you engage in. According to Salie, an all-inclusive package does not always offer this flexibility.

"If you go with an all-inclusive vacation package as-is, you need to make sure the package offers what you want or are looking for from your vacation," he said. "Because once you lock that in, that's the experience that you will be having once you arrive."

Saglie noted some all-inclusive packages may be customizable, so make sure to check with the company before you book.

"Usually, I rarely book a vacation package exactly as presented," he said. "I may want to fly another airline because I've got status on that airline, or I'd rather do an adults-only resort and not do the family-friendly hotel, or vice versa."

For a more-localized vacation experience, book the trip on your own

If you're searching for a cozier vibe that integrates you right into the heart of a particular city's culture, then it's best to book your trip on your own. Many all-inclusive packages are limited to certain, standardized hotels and resorts in more popular spots. 

"Nowadays, more travelers are looking to dive a little deeper into a destination on a cultural level because we have access to so many more accommodation options," Saglie told BI. "Sometimes doing it yourself would be the better way to go, simply because those kinds of options aren't readily available yet in the all-inclusive landscape right now."

If you want to stay put in one spot, go the all-inclusive route

All-inclusive vacation packages are great options for travelers who want to stay mostly in one spot.

"Oftentimes, if all you want to do is sit on the beach for three nights, it makes sense to look at all-inclusive packages," said Saglie.

Factor in credit-card points and other travel perks you have access to when deciding how to book

Many travelers redeem credit-card points for flights, hotel stays, and more. Sometimes, these points can be used to pay for an entire trip. In this case, Saglie said it makes more sense to book separately.

"These days, whether you're using credit cards or if you have status with a particular resort chain, sometimes it can be more bang for your buck to cash in on some of those insider perks able to buy airfare with miles or upgrade your resort experience because you've got points," he said. "That can be a pretty effective way of enhancing your trip in a way that may be an all-inclusive package can't or at that same price-point."

But, sometimes, these points can be used to upgrade your all-inclusive packages, too.

Think about the time of year you are planning to travel and compare both options

The time of year will play a big factor in the overall cost of your vacation. You may be able to score a money-saving deal with an all-inclusive package during certain seasons, said Saglie.

"If you are looking to go to a destination during a slow time of the year, like traveling to the Caribbean in the summer or during hurricane season, you're going to be finding some pretty good bargain deals," he told BI. 

If you're looking to book during a low season, it's worth looking into how much it'd cost you to book your resort stay and airfare separately — it could be better than all-inclusive package options. 

If you're looking for a particular type of experience, book your travel yourself

Travelers who are seeking a very specific or unique vacation may be better off booking elements of their trip separately.

"If you're looking for a very specific or special type of experience while you're vacationing, that's when it may make more sense to package the travel yourself. Oftentimes, there are very unique or specialized resorts that may not play ball with a vacation package," he said.

He said this especially applies to adrenaline junkies who might want to zip line in the morning, river raft in the afternoon, and cave dive in the evening. 

"That's the specialized personalized experience where vacation packages may come up short. In this case, you really need to do the legwork yourself," he said. 

One may be more cost-efficient than the other

Sometimes, all-inclusive packages can be a better deal than booking your reservations individually, according to Saglie. This is because travel companies are able to buy up large volumes of hotel rooms and flights at one time and sell them to customers at a discount.

"There's no doubt that vacation companies that put these packages together pass on legitimate savings to travelers," Saglie said. "They are usually buying up hotel rooms or airline seats in bulk so that they are getting these lower rates or getting extras tacked on that they can pass on to customers. Oftentimes, you are looking at some pretty dramatic price-points."

Above all, he recommends exploring all of your options before signing on the dotted line.

"The last thing we want to do is be pigeon-holed into an experience that looked really good and was priced right but at the end of the day wasn't really what you wanted," he added. 

This story was originally published on March 4, 2019, and most recently updated on July 17, 2024.

• Shannen Doherty had been open about her desire for children before her death. 
• The "Charmed" actor died on Saturday, following a nine-year battle with cancer. 
• Fertility experts weigh in on how a cancer diagnosis can affect family planning.

Actor Shannen Doherty said she "desperately" wanted to have a child before her death.

The "Beverly Hills, 90210" star died on Saturday after a nine-year battle with breast cancer. She was 53 years old.

On a January episode of her podcast "Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty," she shared with her guest, oncologist Lawrence Piro, that she and her then-husband, Kurt Iswarienko, had turned to IVF to try to conceive.

They eventually stopped doing IVF when her chemotherapy induced menopause, she said on the podcast. But Doherty was hopeful that her menstruation would return because she "still wanted to have a baby," Piro said.

"Yeah, desperately," Doherty agreed. "Not only did I want a child for myself, but I wanted it for my husband, I wanted it for a marriage, I wanted him to have that part of himself fulfilled." The pair got married in 2011. Doherty filed for divorce last year.

The "Charmed" actor was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She went into remission in 2017, but the cancer returned in 2019 and spread to her bones and brain in 2023, she shared on her Instagram.

Since her diagnosis, Doherty had been open about her desire for motherhood. In 2023, she told People she would "love nothing more than to be a mom."

"I always wanted it," she said. "I look at kids who don't have parents at all, and I think if I adopt a child or whatever it is, any amount of time is better than nothing. Maybe. I don't know."

What experts say about family planning during cancer

There is no simple answer to approaching family planning during a cancer diagnosis, fertility experts told Business Insider.

Every case is different, and the feasibility of having children after cancer depends on the type and stage of cancer and the patient's prognosis, said Dr. Tan Thiam Chye, a consultant OB-GYN at O&G The Women's Medical Specialist in Singapore.

He added that people in that scenario should have extensive discussions with their gynecologist and oncologist.

"Doctors have to ensure that the mother is physically and emotionally healthy to carry the pregnancy. Safety is the top-most priority," he said.

Cancer treatment can often impact fertility as there is high stress on the patient's emotional and physical health, as well as damage to their reproductive cells, he added. In some cases, treatment can lead to transient or permanent menopause.

With advancements like egg freezing, however, people have more options to conceive after cancer treatment, he said.

In addition, people who have been diagnosed with cancer should consider the possibility of passing down mutations in their genes that may cause cancer to their children, said Professor Ng Soon Chye, a fertility specialist and the medical chairman at Sincere IVF Center in Singapore.

"Fortunately, advances have made a world of difference," he told BI. "If [a couple] really wants to try, they shouldn't give up. We've had miracle cases where we thought it was impossible to get pregnant, but yet they managed to."

A representative for Doherty did not respond to a request for comment from BI.

• Florida and Indiana passed laws to ban cellphones during class; New York may join.
• My children go to school in Montclair, New Jersey, and the district is planning to do the same.
• I support the move because, as a teacher, I understand how phones are distractions in the classroom.

Schools seem to quickly be changing the rules around cellphones.

Florida and Indiana have already passed legislation to keep phones out of the classroom during instructional time. New York may soon follow.

My family currently lives in Montclair, New Jersey. I have two children. The youngest is a rising 6th grader, and my older son is a rising 10th grader. Our school district says it plans to pilot a no-phones policy this fall.

Some of our district's teachers already require students to place their phones in clear over-the-door shoe holders when entering the classroom. But now, our district is taking things a step further. They're partnering with a company that supplies magnetic pouches for smartphones. Once the pouch is closed, you can't open it unless you take it to the docking station.

As a mother and educator, I am willing to accept these new cellphone policy changes.

My oldest son has a cellphone

My husband and I planned to give my older son a phone in 8th grade. But then the pandemic hit, and we wanted him to have a way to connect with school friends. So he got a phone when he was 11. But we didn't permit social media.

It wasn't a huge deal because even now, at 15, he's not a big social media kid. Mostly, he texts friends about meeting up for soccer games and checking sports scores. At times, it's been tough because many coaches use Facebook to connect with players.

My younger son is 11. He recently told us he doesn't want a phone because he knows he won't be able to stop streaming Lego videos on YouTube. He's also acutely aware of group chat drama. Earlier this year, a group of kids at his school got caught up in a nasty group chat that included racist and homophobic language. While my son wasn't involved, he observed how these chats can be dangerous and disruptive.

My son isn't alone. School safety experts — like Kenneth Trump, president of National School Safety and Services — say there are many reasons phones don't belong in schools. He writes on his site that smartphones have been used for cyberbullying, starting fights, and making threats against students.

I know firsthand that teens struggle with impulse control

A recent Pew Research Center study found that 72% of high school teachers in the US said cellphones are distracting students in class.

As an educator, I know this struggle intimately. I've taught media writing and journalism for over 15 years at Columbia University, Montclair State, and Seton Hall. I also run an afterschool enrichment course in the same field for elementary students.

I would love it if I didn't have to compete for my university students' attention. Not only are they distracted by screens, but they tend to make many errors when working online. They misspell words and ignore basic grammar rules, like beginning a sentence with a capital letter. I once conducted an experiment and asked them to handwrite their classwork. It was a reading response assignment that required a lot of writing. I was curious if the quality of work would improve. It did.

Occasionally, I have asked my students to put away their phones, but they are sneaky and put them on their laps. I've got the same issue with laptop computers in class. Getting students to pay attention to the lesson in front of them is hard. I tell them I'll upload PowerPoints after class, yet they're still tied to their screens. They'd rather be doing Wordle or Connections or tinkering with other assignments.

I wish my college would ban phones or other electronics in classes, but I know it's a pipe dream.

I'm ready to try a new policy — for my sons and my students

Some parents in my local school district object to a no-phone zone. They worry that they won't be able to reach their child during the day. I can relate to this, but it doesn't keep me up at night.

Other parents want to be able to text their kids about rides home. Do I like being able to text my son during the school day? Of course. I've been known to text my son to remind him of a guitar lesson or a haircut. But is this level of communication necessary? Probably not. And definitely not during bio class.

There's likely no one-size-fits-all solution for reducing cellphone use in school, but as an educator and a parent, I'm willing to test the waters. The haircut reminder can wait.

• Biden reportedly blew up at a House Democrat who's skeptical of his candidacy on a Zoom call.
• "Tell me who did something that you've never done with your Bronze Star like my son," Biden said.
• Biden has insisted he will remain in the race, despite congressional Democrats' concerns.

During a tense Zoom call with members of the centrist New Democrat Coalition on Saturday, President Joe Biden reportedly took a swipe at Rep. Jason Crow's military service.

The exchange, according to Puck News, took place after Crow, a Colorado Democrat who's been publicly skeptical of Biden's continued viability in the wake of a disastrous debate performance last month, asked the president a question about national security.

Biden reportedly replied:

"I put NATO together. Name me a foreign leader who thinks I'm not the most effective leader in the world on foreign policy. Tell me! Tell me who the hell that is! Tell me who put NATO back together! Tell me who enlarged NATO, tell me who did the Pacific basin! Tell me who did something that you've never done with your Bronze Star like my son—and I'm proud of your leadership, but guess what, what's happening, we've got Korea and Japan working together, I put AUKUS together, anyway!"

Crow, a former Army Ranger elected to Congress during the 2018 "Blue Wave," earned the Bronze Star Medal for his service during the Iraq War. The award is given to members of the military who show acts of heroism in the field or had an otherwise praiseworthy tenure.

Biden's son Beau, who died in 2015, also served in Iraq and received a Bronze Star.

According to the report, Crow then said that Biden's message wasn't "breaking through" to voters.

"You oughta talk about it!" Biden reportedly replied. "On national security, nobody has been a better president than I've been. Name me one. Name me one! So I don't want to hear that crap!"

The day after the call, Crow said on CBS's Face the Nation that Biden "heard our message very clearly" and that the president "promised to come back to us with more information to address our concerns and to answer our questions."

A source familiar with Biden's calls with congressional Democrats — which in recent days have also included the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus — emphasized that Biden has open to feedback from lawmakers, rather than merely defensive.

While some of the conversations around Biden's viability have grown muted in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, they have yet to fully dissipate.

As of Wednesday, 19 House Democrats and one Democratic senator have publicly called on Biden to withdraw from the race, while others have flatly declared that they no longer believe he will be able to defeat Trump in November.

• Gavin Newsom slammed Elon Musk for supporting Donald Trump after Trump trash-talked him.
• California Gov. Newsom said Musk 'bent the knee.' Musk retorted: 'You never get off your knees.'
• Musk earlier announced he was moving SpaceX and X's HQs out of California.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Elon Musk are sparring on X — with Newsom saying Musk "bent the knee" in endorsing Donald Trump for president after Trump trash-talked him.

On Tuesday, Newsom reposted a Truth Social post by Trump in 2022, where the former president claimed he could have made tech billionaire Musk drop to his knees and beg for help during a visit to the White House.

In that post, Trump slammed Musk for making "electric cars that don't drive long enough" and "rocketships to nowhere."

Newsom's tweet came after Musk denounced the governor earlier in the day for signing a bill preventing California schools from being required to notify parents if a child changes their gender identity at school.

Musk — who had a falling out with his transgender daughter — said the bill was "the final straw" spurring his decision to move SpaceX and X's headquarters from California to Texas.

In response to Newsom's jab about his supposed deference, Musk retorted, saying: "You never get off your knees."

Neither Newsom's press office nor representatives for Musk's X immediately responded to Business Insider's requests for comment.

Trump has had contentious relationships with both Musk and Newsom.

Musk, who recently pledged $45 million a month to support a pro-Trump super PAC, previously served on two advisory councils for the former president but resigned in 2017 after Trump pulled out of the Paris climate agreement. Musk pledged his full support for Trump on July 13, after an assassination attempt on the former president.

Meantime, Trump in February slammed Newsom, saying he would be an "easy" opponent if Joe Biden weren't the Democratic nominee "because California is a disaster."

• I recently visited Belfast, Maine, which is full of history, local culture, and coastal views.
• Belfast offers a stark contrast to busy urban life and is perfect for city escapes.
• I think it's an underrated travel destination.

When I went to Belfast, Maine, for the Fourth of July, I expected nothing more than a wholesome, long weekend with my friends to take a break from the hustle and bustle of my life in NYC.

I got all that — and more.

It was my first time in Maine, and this particular small town, which I'd never heard of before my friends moved there last winter, surprised me with its history, local culture, and dramatic coastal views.

According to the city's website, Belfast is a budding town on the rise.

After my trip, I've decided that Belfast is a hidden gem for tourists, and I'll go back again and again for my big-city escapes.

Belfast, Maine, is about 100 miles up the coast from Portland.

To reach the small town on Penobscot Bay, we flew from NYC to Portland, Maine, and our friends picked us up from the airport for a two-hour drive up the coast to their abode.

The town is rooted in maritime history.

Belfast was incorporated as a town in the 1700s, but it started to prosper in the 19th century as a hub for maritime workers, according to the city's website. For about 100 years, Belfast residents built wooden sailboats, operated steamships, and transported goods from ice and apples to hay and fertilizer.

Then, in the 1980s, creatives flocked to the town and transformed it into an artist's oasis with galleries and warehouse studios.

Today, Belfast maintains the same 19th-century seaside feel.

The waterfront town has 7,000 residents, according to World Population Review.

The architecture in Belfast combines traditional New England-style homes with old-world styles from the Italian and Greek Revival eras, according to the Boston Globe. I thought this gave the town a European twist on the classic New England aesthetic.

My friends said Belfast gets tourists in the summer, but it didn't feel crowded overall. We never waited too long for a table at a restaurant, and I didn't see many large clusters of people.

The town is filled with historic inns.

Strolling through the town, I saw more historic inns than traditional hotels, which made me think that tourists visit Belfast for unique accommodations.

These accommodations look like gigantic mansions, and seeing them up close made me wish I'd booked just one night in one of them, like the Jeweled Turret. The bed and breakfast, decorated with antiques, is a 19th-century Victorian landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, according to the inn's website.

There's also the Alden House Inn, a Greek Revival building dating back to 1840. On a weekend afternoon, I spotted its porch filled with guests and longed to hang out there.

But I stayed with friends. Their neighborhood was surprisingly walkable for a small town.

According to Walk Score, Belfast is pedestrian-friendly, scoring 74 out of 100.

From my friends' apartment, we got to hiking trails, the waterfront, and the downtown area — all on foot.

My friends also live steps away from a farmers market and the Belfast Armistice Bridge, which pedestrians use to cross the Passagassawakeag River.

We went hiking without having to hop in a car.

My friends live less than five minutes from the Rail Trail that lines the Passagassawakeag River.

I spent one day working remotely from Belfast, and we took a quick hike during my lunch break.

I was impressed with the hillside views and land masses covered in rich green trees in the distance. It was an ideal place to refresh in the middle of a shift.

We could also walk to the town's many small businesses and shop for locally sourced food.

My friend told me that one of the coolest things about Belfast is that there are so many local shops. There's no Walmart, Target, or Costco in town. The only brand-name stores I saw were Walgreens, CVS, and Dollar General.

According to the Press Herald, Maine towns are known for their small businesses. Belfast, in particular, has a plethora of locally owned retailers, from a general store and a DVD rental store to shops selling vintage dollhouses and handmade clothing and furniture.

The Press Herald reports that these independent stores draw customers with a unique personalized shopping experience as store owners get to know their regulars.

We went to a farmers market selling local produce and foods during my trip, and my friends cooked up a feast.

We had a watermelon and feta salad, roasted duck, lobster mac-and-cheese, and potato salad with duck fat and herb-infused dressing, dill, parsley, and garlic scapes.

The ingredients tasted so fresh, and so did the local pastries and bagels we got there for breakfast.

There were some places we drove to, like Acadia National Park.

Acadia National Park is just a 90-minute drive from Belfast. We took a day trip there on a foggy Saturday, and I was surprised to find that the park wasn't as crowded as most national parks I've visited on weekends.

The coastal park, surrounded by islands, looked majestic in the hazy weather. We hiked through forests to the rocky coastline, where we went tide-pooling and found a massive cave. It was even more picturesque than the trails in Belfast, and it helped me see how the state of Maine inspired my favorite American writer, Stephen King.

Belfast and surrounding areas are dog friendly.

My friends in Maine have a super sweet and active dog, Zeus. He accompanied us on nearly every adventure during our trip, from restaurants to the Rail Trail and even Acadia, one of the most dog-friendly national parks in the US, according to the National Parks Service.

Taking Zeus with us made the trip so much more goofy and fun. It wouldn't have been the same without him. And it made me want to bring my dog next time I trek to Belfast.

I could have stayed so much longer, and I'll definitely be back.

Aside from being a unique town with so much to offer, I thought Belfast would be an ideal destination for tourists looking to travel sustainably. Eco-travel experts say that supporting local businesses and getting around without a car are responsible practices for the health of our planet.

Next time I go to Belfast, I'll spend more time browsing local shops, book a stay at a historic inn, and take more day trips to places like Portland. Plus, I'd love to see Acadia on a day with clear skies.

• Bob Iger is now a controlling owner of the Los Angeles-based Angel City FC.
• Iger and his wife Willow Bay reached a deal with the soccer franchise worth $250 million.
• The deal is a win for the star-studded ownership group of the club.

Bob Iger and Willow Bay are the new majority owners of Angel City FC.

Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, and his wife Bay, a journalist and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism dean, have agreed to purchase a controlling stake in the Los Angeles-based franchise at a valuation of $250 million, the club said.

The deal makes Angel City FC the most valuable women's sports team in the world, and the couple will invest an extra $50 million into the club.

"It's actually an historic moment in sports and an historic moment for women's sports," Bay told ESPN.

"I think to be part of the team, to be part of the future trajectory of this team, this sport and women's sports, is incredibly exciting," she added.

Iger and Bay are joining a slate of recognizable names in the ownership group, including actors Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, and several former US Women's National team players.

Venture capitalist and Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian is one of the founding investors of Angel City FC. In 2020, his daughter with tennis star Serena Williams became the youngest team owner in professional sports at 2 years old.

"Needless to say, we're just getting started and I couldn't ask for better partners than Willow & Bob who will have the board control necessary to be true control owners," Ohanian said in a post on X. "I'm excited to continue to serve on the board and support this team in the new chapter."