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...
Have only five days to explore Iceland? While it might be tempting to stay in Reykjavík and do day trips from there, we recommend heading out into the countryside using one of...
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
We had an excellent trip planned by Emanuela....
Iceland
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Jul 4 - Jul 15, 2026
We had an excellent trip planned by Emanuela. She was very accessible and responsive and took into account our needs and our young children’s ages in her planning. We had a great time in Iceland!
Thank you so much for your lovely review! It was a real pleasure helping you plan your Iceland adventure. ❤️
I’m especially happy to hear that the itinerary worked well for your family. Traveling with young children always requires a little extra thought, and I really enjoyed taking their ages, needs, and interests into consideration when putting your trip together.
Thank you also for your kind words about my responsiveness and accessibility. I truly believe that good communication... Read more
Emanuela provided us with an amazing trip iti...
Iceland
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Aug 17 - Aug 24, 2026
Emanuela provided us with an amazing trip itinerary. I was not the easiest client to work with and asked lots of questions and did a lot of revisions and she was patient and did a great job accommodating our wants. I cannot recommend her services enough
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure working with you and helping bring your Iceland trip together. 😊 I know we went through quite a few questions and revisions, but that’s exactly what tailor-made travel is all about — making sure the itinerary feels right for you and reflects what you really want to experience. I’m so happy we were able to create a trip you were excited about, and I really appreciate your trust and patience throughout the planning... Read more
Amazing 5 day trip to Iceland
Iceland
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Aug 10 - Aug 15, 2026
Emanuela created an excellent itinerary for our 6 days in Iceland. We had an amazing private guide who drove us to all of the sights in Iceland. We felt that we had a great deal of flexibility with our schedule. I would highly recommend Emanuela!
Hi Patricia,
it is great to hear that you and Ian had a lovely time in Iceland and you were one of the lucky ones who managed to see the eclipse in the westfjrods. Glad we found the best private driver in iceland for that!
Thank yyouo for yuor lovely words. I am so happy to read you had a great time with yuor son!
All the best,
Emanuela
Kim Kim did an excellent job!
Iceland
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Aug 3 - Aug 14, 2026
Dear Susan,
I am so glad to ehar that yo had a wonderful time in Iceland.
It was easy and pleasant to stay in touch with you while you were traveling and to know you were busy enjoying Iceland.
Thank you for your heartwarming review.
I hope to have you back here again one day, there is still so much more to see!
Emanuela
Iceland is a treasure! Great scenery, great p...
Iceland
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Aug 1 - Aug 9, 2026
Hi Carolyn,
Thank you for your heartfelt words. I am so happy that you enjoyed Iceland and the trip that we created together on such short notice.
Thank you for the full trust!
Emanuela
Iceland Flawless Planning, Incredible Memories
Iceland
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Jun 16 - Jun 30, 2026
Thank you so much for your heartwarming review. It was such a pleasure staying in touch with you before and throughout your trip, and I absolutely loved receiving your daily updates about all the wonderful adventures you were experiencing. I am so happy to hear that you loved Iceland and enjoyed every moment of your journey, and that everything went smoothly overall. Thank you as well for being so flexible and understanding when the ferry was canceled. Your positive... Read more
Emanuela could not have planned a better trip...
Greenland
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Jun 16 - Jun 25, 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely review about your Greenland trip and for sharing those wonderful pictures. It truly means a lot to me.
It was an absolute pleasure helping you plan this adventure, and I am so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful experience. Greenland is such a unique and breathtaking destination, and knowing that you enjoyed it makes all the effort worthwhile. I hope the memories of Greenland stay with you for a lifetime, and I... Read more
AMAZING trip to Iceland thanks to Emanuela!
Iceland
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Jun 14 - Jun 20, 2026
Thank you so much for your heartwarming words. We worked hard to make your trip a success, so it is incredibly rewarding to hear that it exceeded your expectations. I am delighted that you and your family had such a memorable time in Iceland and that you enjoyed all the glacier adventures we had planned for you. I am especially happy that you decided not to cancel the snowmobile tour in the end, and that it turned out to be one of the highlights of your trip! Those are exactly... Read more
6 day adventure of southern Iceland
Iceland
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Jun 11 - Jun 16, 2026
The 1 day trip to Golden circle was a great experience. It was worth viking experience and guide was Greter. It was only 3 of us and intimate and informational.
The 2 day South coast was very long driving in the van. I don’t think there is any other way to have done it tho.
Overall the suggestions of what to see and do were spot on. Thank you Emanuela for planning a wonderful adult mama/daughter bonding
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback, your kind review, and for sharing that beautiful photo of you and Lauren enjoying Vík. It brought a big smile to my face! It was truly a pleasure staying in touch with you throughout your journey, and I am so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time in Iceland. I hope this was just the first of many visits, as there is still so much more of this incredible country waiting to be discovered. Thank you again for trusting me to... Read more
Great experience in Iceland
Iceland
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May 19 - May 28, 2026
Hi Brian,
It was a pleasure and very easy to connect with you and work together on your trip. I am glad to read that you had a fantastic time on the amazing experiences we selected together. Entering a volcano chamber and meeting whales is definitely the highlight of every trip to Iceland.
Thank you for your trust and kindness and best regards,
Emanuela