Louis Messina exudes genuine enthusiasm when discussing Kenny Chesney’s multimillion-dollar stadium tours or Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, or The Lumineers as clients he promotes with genuine excitement. An old-school promoter himself, Louis knows precisely how to get things done for his clients.
His team has helped MTG excel in both country and pop music arenas, with Rachel Powers serving as Vice President from Director of Marketing to manage tour promotion for Church’s Gather Again World Tour.
City Tour of Messina
Messina, Sicily’s third-largest city, will surely fill you with excitement. Take an open-top double-decker bus tour around this vibrant metropolis to experience its unique charm – be sure to visit Cathedral Square with its unusual astronomical clock, walk through suburbs, and see Ganzirri lakes, Messina Strait, and Capo Peloro for views that won’t soon be forgotten!
Messina offers plenty of things to see and do, whether visiting Mount Etna or Taormina – there is always something exciting and enjoyable going on in Messina. Discover its rich culture through tours of Messina’s main sites, such as Annunziata dei Catalani church, Palace Zanca, and Cathedral Square, or relax while taking in beautiful coastal scenery or window shopping along Corso Umberto!
Messina will make any trip more exciting and entertaining, offering many tourist attractions worth seeing, such as the Church of Catalans, Cathedral, Bell Tower, and Piazza Duomo with its Fountain of Orion, which was designed to honor Sicily’s three rivers – it is undoubtedly one of Messina’s most captivating squares!
Louis Messina, founder of Messina Touring Group, has built an entertainment empire across multiple musical genres. His company serves as an exclusive promoter for Taylor Swift, George Strait, and Kenny Chesney – a testament to Louis’ hard work ethic and appreciation of the artists he represents. Starting as part of the New Orleans music scene, he has since created some iconic concert series.
Messina Touring Group has distinguished itself in more ways than one, both live music promotion and production/venue management. Clients include significant acts and festivals alike – U2, Fleetwood Mac, and Bruce Springsteen, among many more renowned musicians, have all relied on them as production managers for significant performances.
Mount Etna
At this year’s CMA Touring Awards, hardworking industry personnel behind some of country music’s biggest stars – from business managers and publicists to coach drivers – were recognized. Louis Messina of Messina Touring Group earned top honors. With clients like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Blake Shelton, and some of the country’s largest festivals, such as Stagecoach and Coachella, his firm holds its place in both pop and country worlds firmly ensconced within its reach. Louis Messina Touring Group is at home in both pop and country worlds; its roots firmly within pop music – clients like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Blake Shelton are just three of many services he runs from his firm Messina Touring Group’s founder Louis Messina founded Messina Touring Group which holds both pop/country clients such as Taylor Swift Ed Sheeran Blake Shelton along with running major festivals like Stagecoach and Coachella respectively.
Messina made his mark on the live music industry as a promoter in New Orleans before founding PACE Concerts and orchestrating major rock fests such as Texxas Jam, Monsters of Rock, and George Strait Country Fest. Additionally, he developed significant tour concepts, such as an all-day country music stadium tour model used by Kenny Chesney and George Strait artists.
Messina’s company was responsible for two tours that made headlines last year – Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour and Ed Sheeran’s Divide Tour, both breaking North American records. Messina also handled Sheeran’s BRIGHTSIDE Tour and is a booking partner to Little Big Town, Shawn Mendes, and The Lumineers. John Peets of management company Q Prime South lauded Messina’s business acumen and deep appreciation of those with whom he works.
Taormina
After meeting your professional English-speaking staff close to Messina port, enjoy a scenic ride along Sicily’s eastern coastline. Once in Taormina, stroll its famed medieval streets for views of enchanting Greek and Roman monuments such as Teatro Antico and the sizeable Greek amphitheater; window shop along Corso Umberto before visiting Isola Bella natural reserve, which overlooks the sea via a bridge connecting it directly with the main town.
At the base of Mount Etna, visit a vineyard to gain an introduction to Sicily’s famed wines. Sample varieties like Nero d’Avola and Etna Rosso–both made with grapes grown on its slopes–while also sampling honey from local family farms with flavors such as orange, lemon, and eucalyptus as well as a strawberry; olives cheeses and other tasty goodies will complete this unforgettable journey!
On a guided walking tour, visitors will see Aragonese-style Porta Catania before visiting Cathedral Square to witness the church and the world’s most giant astronomical clock. While wandering Cathedral Square’s narrow streets, you will come across boutiques selling designer clothing and jewelry along with delicious delicatessens offering delicious Italian treats.
Lunch options in Taormina vary according to the restaurant, but some popular choices may include melanzane alla parmigiana (eggplant baked with mozzarella and tomato sauce), pesce spada affumicato (smoked swordfish) or spaghetti al nero di sepia (featuring sauce made of black squid ink). Don’t forget to enjoy your meal with a glass of local wine!
Return to your coach, then embark on a short yet scenic drive to Castelmola. Your guide will point out top landmarks such as its hilltop medieval castle whose towers and turrets overlook a beautiful bay, or the chance to explore a lava cave–but keep in mind this experience requires certain levels of fitness; pregnant women or those suffering back problems should not partake. Upon arriving back at your meeting point, transfer back onto the ship for your journey back to Messina–this experience should take about two hours in total.
Catania
After your cruise ship docks in Messina, you will be welcomed with open arms by your driver. They will lead you on a special tour through Taormina, where you will have an opportunity to view the iconic Greek Theater ruins, which inspired many authors, artists, and musicians. After visiting Taormina, you will embark on an incredible historic trip up 6,000ft above sea level slopes leading up to Europe’s largest active volcano – Mt. Etna – by cable car or jeep ride and exploring its lava streams and surroundings.
Follow your tour leader to Catania, Sicily’s second-largest city. It offers beautiful views of both the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna while its historic churches and monuments, such as Norman Duomo, with its massive carved altar dating back to the 12th century, and the Cathedral of Saint Agatha as an example of Sicilian baroque architecture is not to be missed either. Other highlights in the city include Piazza Universita with its magnificent old university building facade, as well as Liotru, an ancient lavic stone elephant that was recently found topped with an Egyptian obelisk.
Not only can you find landmarks here, but you’ll also discover plenty of cafes and restaurants – some so renowned that they were featured in movies such as The Godfather! Additionally, the city is home to museums such as the Sicilian Museum of Modern Art and Archeology, which can provide even more sightseeing options.
One of the best ways to travel from Messina to Catania by train is via Rome2Rio’s easy ticket booking platform; train journeys usually last about 1 hour and 14 minutes depending on when you depart from Messina and can cost approximately EUR90, with weekday tickets usually being cheaper compared with weekend ones.
