Among the many eclectic gifts to be included in the Academy Awards’ gift basket for Oscar nominees is a $55,000 first-class trip to Israel.
Hollywood’s top celebrities could stay in a luxury suite at one of the country’s best hotels, like the Waldorf Astoria in Jerusalem (the seventh-best hotel in the world and the best in the Middle East, according to a 2015 Conde Nast survey), where an Ambassador Suite starts at $2,000 a night. Or they could split the stay in Tel Aviv at the David InterContinental’s newly renovated luxury suites ($3,500 per night).
They could easily fit in a weekend stay in the Negev at the tony Beresheet Hotel, which sits on the edge of Makhtesh Ramon, the biggest natural crater on Earth. The Presidential Villa starts at $5,900.
Israeli cuisine has taken the spotlight of late, and guests will want to sample some of this delectable fare. Hollywood’s royalty will be in good company at high-end restaurants like Catit, Machneyuda, Herbert Samuel or Mizlala ($115 range, per person, for a full-course meal).
And while it is unknown if the $55,000 Israel package includes a guide, the actors taking up the offer might want to grab a VIP view from above of some of Israel’s top sites. They could rent a hot-air balloon ($250 per person) or try a flight along the Mediterranean coast in a Cessna 122 for $200.
The surprising Israel trip is just one of several exclusive gifts in the Oscar goody bag.
There’s also a 15-day walking tour of Japan ($45,000); a year’s worth of unlimited Audi car rentals from Silvercar ($45,000); three private training sessions with “celebrity wellness expert” and star of ABC’s “My Diet Is Better Than Yours” Jay Cardiello ($1,400); Ultherapy—a laser skin-tightening procedure ($5,530); a lifetime supply of skin creams from Lizora ($31,200); a Fit Club TV Ultimate Fitness Package in a private villa ($6,250); a Haze Dual V3 Vaporizer valued at $249.99; and something called a “Vampire Breast Lift” ($1,900).
Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, the company that puts together the bags, said in a press release that this year’s bag is “once again a blend of fabulous, fun and functional items meant to thrill and pamper those who may have everything money can buy but still savor the simple joy of a gift.” The bags are reportedly worth more than $200,000 in total, and are only offered to nominees in the main acting and directing categories.
Israel’s Tourism Ministry is delighted the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jennifer Lawrence, Sylvester Stallone, Christian Bale, and Kate Winslet could be headed their way. “These are the most senior people in the film industry in Hollywood and leading opinion-formers who we are interested in hosting here in Israel so that they will experience the country first hand and not through the media. If they do indeed accept the invitation, their visit will have enormous resonance among millions of fans and followers, including social media. The very fact that they are considering visiting Israel places the option in the public discourse in the social and professional circles in which the stars move,” said Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, who added that his ministry is cooperating with Distinctive Assets.
(via Israel21c)
[Photo: CEN KIDS / YouTube ]