
Emanuela Grieco
I am an Italian Travel Designer mostly based in Iceland.
Traveling has been my passion since I was young, being always fascinated by other cultures and people.
In 2005, after living and studying in Norway and Denmark, I got my degree in Scandinavian languages and cultures at the university in Rome and began to travel the world. I never stopped since then.
So far, I have been traveling for 20 years across more than 100 countries and lived in 12 different ones. And counting....
In 2016, after an unforgettable summer spent in Kulusuk, East Greenland, I went back to Italy to get a new degree as a Travel Designer in order to make my love for traveling becoming my job. So now here I am, on this amazing new adventure called Arctic Travel Designer, where I can finally help people making their Arctic dream becoming true.
In 2021 I published my first book: "The tiny book of traveling with an open heart.
A travel checklist, a mindful travel guide and a travel diary, all at one!".
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialise in customised experiential holidays across Iceland and Greenland. Having lived in both countries allows me to have a deeper insight about places and activities not to miss when visiting these stunning countries."
How did you get involved in travel?
"I am a globetrotter at heart, who loves slower paced travels, experiencing and taking my time to get absorbed by new cultures and people.
I mostly travel alone. My first solo trip was in 2003 when I discovered the beauty of exploring and discovering the world and simply never managed to stop since then. Traveling for me is not only a life style but it is my life in general. I simply can´t stay still in one place...and who would, when there is the entire world to be discovered out there?"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"My most beautiful travel experience has been being part of "Viking Across Africa", the first overland expedition ever to go from Iceland to South Africa.
Back in 2013, together with other 16 adventurers, I traveled for seven months across 23 countries, for 22000 miles, on an old war truck, experiencing some of the most remote places and people in the world. The experience of a lifetime!"
Emanuela's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice

Two of Iceland's more remote and scenically stunning yet lesser-visited regions—Westfjords and North Iceland—are the focus of this scenic 12-day active self-drive adventure,...

The rugged beauty of Iceland was made for road-tripping, which is precisely what you'll do on this 15-day self-drive excursion. You'll be traveling through the west, which is...

This itinerary packs a lot into 8 days, but if you have limited time and have your heart set on driving the entire Ring Road, then this guide will be your best friend for the...
Family itineraries

Drive Iceland's south coast for a memorable family adventure in just under a week. After getting to know Reykjavik, you'll check off blockbuster natural sites in the Golden...

One week in Iceland is enough time for a family-friendly, adventure-filled road trip that includes popular highlights and natural wonders along the South Coast and Golden...

This self-drive tour takes you along Iceland's south and west coasts for those in search of unique family adventure. After a day exploring the capital city, Reykjavik, you'll...
Road trip itineraries

The rugged beauty of Iceland was made for road-tripping, which is precisely what you'll do on this 15-day self-drive excursion. You'll be traveling through the west, which is...

This itinerary packs a lot into 8 days, but if you have limited time and have your heart set on driving the entire Ring Road, then this guide will be your best friend for the...

With seven days in Iceland, hit the road and explore the incredible wonders farther afield from Reykjavik. Explore a variety of landscapes: volcanoes and lava fields, green...
Recent trip reviews for Emanuela
Emanuela planned the perfect trip for our fir...
Iceland
|
Aug 19 - Aug 25, 2023
Emanuela planned the perfect trip for our first visit to Iceland. It was amazing to have a detailed itinerary and suggestions for restaurants. It was a trip of a lifetime.
Iceland is beautiful!
Iceland
|
Jul 16 - Jul 21, 2023
In regard to Kimkim we had a few hiccups in booking everything, but nothing that wasn't taken care of before we left. (for example; they booked the wrong month for our Sky Lagoon tour and if I hadn't caught the mistake we wouldn't have been able to get in)
I also wish the itinerary didn't look so cut/pasted. I get each person has several clients to work for, but we pay for it. Nice to have the maps and pics.... Read more

thank you for your feedback and glad you had a wonderful time in Iceland. The itinerary could have been easily used online if printing it was such an issue for you, as you also got your driving maps and links to be used online on your phone.
Also, the itinerary was not a copy-pasted one and fully personalised and I am sorry if giving you 38 pages of info was too much work for you to handle. My travelers usually appreciate it and that is the first complaint I ever had of this sort.... Read more
Absolutely beautiful trip.
Iceland
|
Aug 4 - Aug 14, 2023


Hi Jenna,
thank you so much for the beautiful review you have written for me and the time you took to do so.
It means the world to me to know you had a wonderful perfect time on your honeymoon.
I wish you all the best and I hope to have you back again, one day.
Emanuela
Highly Recommended! The trip was planned exactly as we had asked....
Iceland
|
Aug 3 - Aug 10, 2023
The trip was planned exactly as we had asked. Emanuela was prompt and efficient at dealing with the minor issues that arose. Highly recommended!

Dear Geoffrey and Susan,
how lovely it has been to connect with you since the beginning of your trip planning.
I am so happy you had a wonderful time in Iceland and thank you for your beautiful review.
All the best,
Emanuela
It was a fantastic experience all around.
Iceland
|
Jul 25 - Jul 31, 2023

Planning the trip was easy with simply stating our interests and Emanuela assembled and booked the itinerary. We had plenty of input during the trip planning to make sure everything we wanted was included.
The trip summary and itinerary was well organized with sightseeing suggestions, food choices and reservation details. Each day had it's own plan with driving details through Google maps.
During the trip Emanuela was available via WhatsApp for any... Read more

Thank you so much for your beautiful words, dear Axel!
It has been a pleasure to connect and plan together your trip!
I hope to have you back here one day!
All the best,
Emanuela
As a young woman, I had my worries about trav...
Iceland
|
Jun 15 - Jun 28, 2023


Thank you so much, dear Olivia, for your heartwarming review. I could feel it was truly written with love and I really appreciate it so much.
It has been wonderful to connect with you and help you having the time of your life in Iceland.
I am sure you will be back again and I will be always available for you.
All the best for now and a big hug,
Emanuela
We had a great trip to Iceland and would love...
Iceland
|
Jul 7 - Jul 15, 2023
We had a great trip to Iceland and would love to come back! Emanuela reached out before and during our trip to make sure everything was going smoothly. Fortunately we didn’t need any assistance but I’m confident it would have been promptly provided if we had needed it. Just FYI, the monster bounce house and zip line are no longer at Perlan in Reykjavik.

Hi Tiffany,
thank you for taking the time to write this beautiful review of your trip and for the if provided.
Very happy you had a wonderful time with your family and that everything went smoothly.
It has been wonderful to stay in touch with you.
All the best for now and I hope to have you back here again, one day!
Emanuela
Best holiday of my life!
Iceland
|
Jun 25 - Jul 6, 2023

The itinerary was excellent and allowed us to see so much of this beautiful country. The accommodation was also top class - we loved virtually all of the places we stayed in. I have provided... Read more

Hi Rahul,
I just want to personally thank you for your wonderful review, and the time you took to write all your happy feedbacks. This has truly made my day!
I am so happy to look at your pictures and see smiles and know that you had a wonderful time with your family.
It has been truly a pleasure to stay in touch with you for all this time. Thank you for your trust!
All the best to everyone and I hope to have you back here again, one day!
Emanuela
Emanuel’s worked with us to customize a great...
Iceland
|
May 26 - Jun 3, 2023

Hi Ric and Suzanne,
thank you so so much for your lovely feedback and your beautiful review.
It fills my heart with joy to hear you had a wonderful time and truly appreciated the beauty of what Iceland can offer.
It has been a pleasure to stay in touch with you guys, you have always been the kindest.
I hope to have you back here again one day.
All the best,
Emanuela
Great experience using KimKim for our trip to...
Iceland
|
May 8 - May 13, 2023

Hi Edward,
I just want to thank you so much for this beautiful review.
I truly appreciate it and, most of all, it makes me so happy to know it all went well and that you had a wonderful time in Iceland.
All the best,
Emanuela
Unforgettable Iceland
Iceland
|
Apr 3 - Apr 11, 2023


Hi Guillo,
I am so happy to hear you and your family had a wonderful time here in Iceland, despite the crazy weather.
Thank you for the lovely words you wrote for me and I hope to have you back here again, one day.
All the best,
Emanuela
Family trip of a lifetime - a beautiful adventure
Iceland
|
Apr 3 - Apr 11, 2023

Emanuela was great every step of the way! Res...
Iceland
|
Apr 2 - Apr 7, 2023
Emanuela was great every step of the way! Response time was impeccable and to me that’s the most important sign of excellent service.

Thank you so much, dear Sweta!
Dream Greenland trip became a reality
Greenland
|
Feb 28 - Mar 10, 2023

- Boat tour through UNESCO Ilulissat Icefjord
- Version of an... Read more

My dear Katie,
thank you so much for your words and for such a nice review.
It has been a pleasure to connect these past months and a lot of fun to plan your Arctic honeymoon together.
And I am very happy that the overcome exceeded your expectations and that, in a way, I managed to share my love for Greenland with you and Brendan.
Thank you for your trust and for your kindness and hope to have you back somewhere up here again, one day,
Emanuela
Had a wonderful Golden Circle trip with Proko...
Iceland
|
Feb 16 - Feb 21, 2023
Had a wonderful Golden Circle trip with Prokop and an amazing South Coast tour with Toby. Kids loved off roading in the land rover en route to the ice cave. Spent a rainy afternoon at Perlan, which was very interesting. The strike of the restaurant and housekeeping workers was a bit disappointing, but nothing we can do about that!
Overall a great trip and we would return, hopefully in the summer to see puffins and whales.
Thank you very much!

Thank you for your feedback and review Virginia, and so happy to hear you had a wonderful time with your family.
It was lovely to stay in touch while you were here and I hope to have you back again, one day.
Emanuela
Amazing trip
Iceland
|
Jan 2 - Jan 7, 2023

My dear Ana,
thank you for your beautiful review, just a day after you came back from your trip!
Starting the new year with happy travelers is wonderful. Your happiness is mine and I truly appreciate your kind words.
Hoping to have you back here again, one day.
All the best to all of you,
Emanuela
Emanuela was so very helpful and accommodating ....
Iceland
|
Sep 16 - Sep 27, 2022

Dear Laurie,
thank you so much for this beautiful note and your kind words. It was lovely to be in touch with you since the beginning of your planning and, indeed, what an adventure you got when the storm hit South Iceland! Luckily we managed to make it work and you could enjoy the rest of the trip without issues.
Thanks again for having booked your trip with me and I hope to have back here again one day.
All the best,
Emanuela
8 Day Complete Excursion
Iceland
|
Oct 1 - Oct 9, 2022

Hi Daniel,
thank you for your beautiful review and your super kind words.
It was a pleasure and very funny to stay in touch while you were traveling and enjoying Iceland. I am very happy you made the most out of your time here and you managed to see all the great spots that were on your detailed trip plan.
Thank you again for having booked your trip with me and for the trust.
Emanuela
Emanuela was incredibly responsive and answer...
Iceland
|
Oct 14 - Oct 21, 2022

Emanuela was incredibly responsive and answered all my questions. There were some great recommendations that we checked out and found some of our own…definitely include the “Icelandic Phallological Museum” for places to see on Reykjavik 😁

Hi Ian,
so happy to hear you had a wonderful time in Iceland and you enjoyed my recommendations.
All the best to both of you and come back soon!
Emanuela
Iceland Expectations Exceeded!
Iceland
|
Oct 2 - Oct 11, 2022

Hi Allison,
Thank you so much for your beautiful review and the time you took to write it.
What a pleasure it has been to follow you on the road, in such an adventure on one of the first storms of Iceland!
Thank you for sharing your amazing photos while you were traveling and happy we managed to create together exactly what you were looking for on your Iceland trip.
All the best to both of you and I hope to have you back here again, one day,
Emanuela