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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
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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,...
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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...
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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
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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...
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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...
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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
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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...
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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...
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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
Trip of a life time..
Iceland
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Nov 28 - Dec 4, 2024
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We had the trip of a lifetime. Emanuela with Kim Kim took very good care of us. We had weather issues that required us to change hotels twice in one day. We were extremely grateful to her for working so hard to make sure we had the best accommodations. She even had a bottle of champagne waiting for us in our room. We were in very good hands with our guide Svavar. He was very knowledgeable and went above and beyond for us. I would highly recommend booking with Kim Kim and ask for Emanuela!!!
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My dear Kelly,
what a joy to read your review! Thank you so much!
It was lovely to connect with you and follow on your adventure ( and what an adventure!) when you were in Iceland. Glad that it all went well and you had an amazing time.
I hope to have you back again one day! Maybe in Summer next time ;)
All the best,
emanuela
Perfect Iceland trip. Thanks Emanuela!
Iceland
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Nov 5 - Nov 9, 2024
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Hello dear Marlowe,
It was so great to read your heartwarming review and to know you had a memorable time in Iceland!
I'll pass your compliments to the driver, too.
And I hope to have you back here again, one day!
All the best,
Emanuela
Kim Kim is the way to go!
Iceland
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Oct 4 - Oct 11, 2024
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Hi Ashlie,
Emanuela here. I am very happy to hear you had a memorable time on your Iceland trip. You were blessed with Northern lights from the first night
it was a pleasure for me to stay in touch with you guys while you were traveling and make sure you were happy with everything and I thank you so much for sharing these stunning photos while you were traveling.
Thank you again and I hope to have you back here one day,
Emanuela
Emanuela was excellent and had great personal...
Iceland
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Sep 17 - Oct 1, 2024
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My dear Jen,
it was a pleasure to stay connected with you while you were here in iceland. I loved all the pictures you shared wih me daily and you enthusiasm while you were enjoying a lifetime memorable adventure with your family.
Thank you for the trust and for your lovely words :)
Big hug to the three of you,
Emanuela
Emanuella planned a 5 star trip
Iceland
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Sep 25 - Oct 3, 2024
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My dear Nikki,
thank you for yuor lovely words. It was truly a pleasure to connect with you from the beginning and help you with the planning of such a perfect trip! We made it! :)
Dear Kim Kim. Thank you for Emanuela. I have...
Iceland
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Sep 19 - Sep 28, 2024
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Dear Charles,
so great to hear about your enthusiasm and love for Iceland after your trip!
I am sure I will hear from you again and until then I wish you the best and good luck with your dream to move to Iceland one day!
Thank you so much ,
Emanuela
Best decision I've ever made!
Iceland
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Aug 4 - Aug 9, 2024
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Thank you dear Candy for the beautiful review you wrote to let us know you had the best time in Iceland.
it has been a pleasure to help you plan such an adventure and I hope to have you back here again very soon, to discover and explore the rest!
Hugs to both of you,
Emanuela
Amazing trip to Iceland with Emanuela's Help
Iceland
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Jul 4 - Jul 11, 2024
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Hi my dear Kerry,
thank you so so much for your heartwarming words. You just made my day!
I am happy that your trip went smoothly, that you fell in love with Iceland and that I contributed to that.
All the best for now and a big hug to both of you, hoping to have you back again one day. There is still so much to see!
Emanuela
Positive experience working with Emanuela
Iceland
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Jun 28 - Jul 4, 2024
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My dear Vickie,
thank you so much for your lovely review and heartwarming words. It was a pleasure to take care of your family trip to Iceland and help you plan a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
It was also great to stay in touch while you were traveling so that everything went smoothly.
All the best to all of you and I hope to have you back here in Iceland again, one day!
Emanuela
Iceland Ring Road Self Drive Dream
Iceland
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Jun 10 - Jun 20, 2024
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Emanuela did a great job of planning and pacing our trip. We had a great blend of activities with some down time. She listened to what we were looking for in places to stay and hit it out of the park. She also gave great dining recommendations. She was very responsive when we were there and made sure everything was going smoothly. Going north on the ring road was the perfect path for us, allowing us to acclimate a little before the heavier duty activities of the south. We especially loved the iceberg lagoon zodiac tour and the side trip to Seyðisfjörður,
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Hallo dear Susan,
thank you so much for the lovely words you wrote for me and so happy to know you had a memorable time here in Iceland.
it has been wonderful to connect with you and I thank you for your trust in the past 4 years since your trip was canceled back in 2020 up to the rebooking this year. I really appreciate it a lot!
All the best to both of you,
Emanuela