
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 15 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.
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!"
Featured trips & expertise

Iceland: Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Golden Circle, South Coast, Westman Islands, & Thorsmork - 10 Days
In 10 days, discover the highlights of five areas in Iceland. Prepare for minimal driving, thanks to the close proximity of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a ferry trip to the beautiful islands, and on-foot exploration in Thorsmork. Embark on a number of great hikes—from breathtaking coasts and cliffs to lava fields, and through lush valleys and scenic glaciers. This trip is a great way to balance out visiting popular areas (including the Golden Circle) with lesser-known destinations (like the Westman Islands).

Iceland in October: Travel Tips, Weather, & More
The summer rush is long over, and the winter festivities have yet to begin, making October a peaceful time to visit. Enjoy colorful fall scenery and shorter days, taking advantage of one of the best times of year to view the Northern Lights. Read this monthly guide to learn more.

Iceland in April: Travel Tips, Weather, & More
Traveling to Iceland in April offers a lot: crowds are small, hotel and flight deals can be found, there’s still the chance to see the Northern Lights, and there’s enough daylight to do and see a lot each day. Read on to learn more.

Classic Circle Tour of Iceland - 9 Days
If you want to see Iceland's top natural highlights, a self-drive tour is by far the most popular option. Travel at your own pace with plenty of changes to head off the main road in search of your own adventures. This tour also includes the Snaefellsnes peninsula which many call "mini-Iceland" as almost every natural phenomenon in Iceland can be found there, albeit on a smaller scale than elsewhere.

Iceland's South Coast Guided Tour - 5 Days
This 5-day tour of Iceland's South Coast hits the top natural sights. Visit Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss Waterfall, see the Reynisfjara black sand beach, and drop by the small village of Vik for coffee and local history. Stop and see the Jokulsarlon lagoon and Skaftafell National Park's many glaciers. Enjoy viewing the Northern Lights in comfort.
Recent trip reviews for Emanuela

An remarkable experience of Adventure and Hospitality · Iceland - Feb 4 - Feb 12, 2020
It is one thing to book and adventure into the unknown to try to figure it out for yourself. It was my intention to do so, but the reality is that it helps to have somebody at least give a map or a general guide of what to look out for.
It is another thing when you can have a specialist help carefully curate an experience. First, I'd like to mention that the magical experience of my trip was only emphasized by the incredible knowledge and hospitality of the agent who helped me - Emanuela... read more

Dear Rizqi,
thank you for your kind words and great review
.
It fulfills me of happiness to read you had an amazing time in Iceland.
It was truly a pleasure to stay in touch and follow you on your road trip on the days you were traveling, exploring and sharing your enthusiasm about Iceland and your trip plan we created together.
I hope to have you back in Iceland soon again to keep exploring the rest of the island.
All the best till then,
Emanuela
Trip to Iceland · Iceland - Sep 15 - Sep 21, 2019
Emanuela was exceptional! Couldn’t have relaxed for the trip without their help! Appreciate all the attention and assistance that was given. Picking up the car reserved for us with hotspot was so easy! We had a wonderful time and can’t wait to go back!

Hi Marla,
I am really glad to have contributed to make your special trip to Iceland easier and pleasant.
I hope you got tons of great memories to bring back home.
And I hope to have you and Tally's back to Iceland soon again for next adventure.
Thanks for booking with me.
Emanuela
Iceland Trip · Iceland - Aug 29 - Sep 6, 2019
With only 8 days before departure Emanuela put together a great trip to Iceland. Before contacting KimKim, I had an idea of where in Iceland I wanted to go and some must do activities. After finalizing the details, such as driving distance for each day and the type of accommodations that I wanted I received a detailed itinerary for the trip. The trip was fantastic. I always book my own vacations unless I am doing a specialized tour (photography tour etc). Due to timing logistics I... read more

Hi Maltaise,
thank you so much for the beautiful review and all the suggestions above. I will keep them as a treasure and use them to improve the quality of service for my next clients.
I am happy to have contributed to a great travel memory on your trip to Iceland.
Thanks again for booking with me and please do not hesitate to contact me again if you decide to come back to Iceland.
All the best,
Emanuela
Iceland West Coast & Golden Circle - 5 Days · Iceland - Aug 6 - Aug 13, 2019
I appreciated the detailed itinerary and arrangements that Emanuela prepared for our Iceland trip. She had lots of activities and suggestions for how to make the most of our time there, visiting Reykjavik, the Snaefellsnes, Thingvellir, Golden Circle, and southern coast. As we travelled at a self-pace, we were not able to do all the suggestions, but I think that we got the highlights. The recommendation for the Iceland Lava Show in Vik was great, the show is informative, entertaining and... read more

Thanks for your feedback, John.
I am very glad to hear you had a perfect time in Iceland and I hope you enjoyed your Ed Sheeran's concert, too.
Thank you very much for your suggestions. I find them very useful and I will definitely keep them in mind for my next trips.
I also would like to take the occasion to thank you once more to have booked your trip with me. Please feel free to contact me again, should you decide to come back to Iceland for a visit.
All the best,
Emanuela
Trip to Iceland · Iceland - Jul 15 - Jul 19, 2019
We appreciated how hard Emanuela worked to ensure that we had a great trip. We found him to be knowledgeable throughout the pre planning stages. It helped to make for an awesome trip knowing that everything was looked after. Even when there was a mix up with our Glacier Hike, he was readily offering a refund but thankfully we were able to have the company squeeze us in.
My only feedback would be to offer more support in answering questions once we were there. We had asked about a pool,... read more

Hi Amanda,
Thank you for your kind feedback.
I really appreciate your gentle words and I will take your notes as constructive ones to improve my service in the future.
I am sorry about the waterfall. As you may have seen on the road, Iceland south coast is full of waterfalls, so without a name it was impossible to understand which one you were meaning.
I am glad to hear you and Sarah you had a fabulous time overall, and I hope to hear back from you if one day you decide to come back to Iceland.
Wish you all the best and thanks for again for booking with me.
Emanuela