
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!"
Featured trips & expertise

Top Winter Experiences in Iceland
Winter in Iceland offers many unique activities that you can't always experience in other seasons. Make the most out of the limited daylight with wintry adventures, such as kayaking amongst icebergs, exploring electric-blue ice caves, dogsledding with a pack of Huskies, snowmobiling atop glaciers, hiking in the snow, or tracking the country's wild reindeer population during their annual migration.

Iceland's Golden Circle in Winter - 6 Days
This winter tour through Iceland's south coast explores some of the country's most beautiful scenery, stopping at the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Gullfoss, as well as the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara to observe the Dyrhólaey sea stacks. You'll hike along glaciers in Vatnajökull National Park and stop to admire the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, all while hoping to catch the northern lights in the evening. Finally, explore the capital city of Reykjavik and the popular village of Vík, ending the trip with a soak in the milky waters of the Blue Lagoon.

Ultimate Iceland Itineraries: 5, 7, 10 & 14 Days
When it comes to planning the perfect Iceland itinerary, we have you covered. Our researchers scouted the island, our Iceland experts chipped in, and then we asked travelers themselves what cool sights and chill activities most thrill them. Then we assessed how much time most travelers are likely to have. We put all these ingredients together to come up with a satisfying hlaðborð (smorgasbord) of itineraries. Read on for our top recommendations for itineraries of 5, 7, 10, and 14 days.
Recent trip reviews for Emanuela
Agent did an amazing job booking a tour exact... · Iceland - Jun 16 - Jun 19, 2022
Agent did an amazing job booking a tour exactly how we wanted it. Everything went off without a hitch and it was an unforgettable experience that I will always cherish! I would highly recommend Emanuela

Iceland in April · Iceland - Apr 19 - Apr 24, 2022
We had a wonderful holiday.
Emanuela worked with us to plan a trip that was perfect for our needs, wants and time constraints. She was always responsive and regularly in touch before and during the trip. Logistically, the bookings she made for our trips all worked exactly as intended. We were particularly delighted with the company she chose for our two expeditions, the minibus and the guides were truly excellent.
In Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon was an absolute highlight and my favourite restaurant was Fiskfelagid although we sampled many and had lots of excellent food!
Adventures through Iceland · Iceland - Apr 12 - Apr 19, 2022
Emanuela was absolutely fantastic to work with on this trip. She helped plan a wonderful Iceland adventure and helped us keep our costs down while exploring all the beauty that Iceland has to offer. She made sure to include the 'must see' spots, while also taking us off the beaten path to explore in places like Varmaland. She was extremely communicative during the trip and helped answer all of our questions no matter how big or small. Would definitely use KimKim and work with Emanuela again! Snow mobiling is also definitely worth it :)
Emanuela planned an amazing trip for us. I tr... · Iceland - Apr 17 - Apr 22, 2022
Emanuela planned an amazing trip for us. I traveled with 3 kids and their grandmother. Everything was perfect for our group. The hotels were spectacular, the activities a lot of fun, and even the dinner recommendations were amazing. Our favorite dinner was in a small local restaurant in Vik that we never would have heard about if we didn't have Emanuela. Can't wait to take my husband to the Blue Lagoon!

Unforgettable Trip! · Iceland - Mar 14 - Mar 20, 2022
We had such a wonderful trip in Iceland! It was our first time there and Emanuela was extremely helpful in communicating with us while we were there about any last minute confirmations or changes due to the weather! Everything was set up and very easy to follow, from the google maps to the daily itinerary. It was such a special trip and we would highly recommend Emanuela to anyone planning to travel to Iceland , especially for the first time! It was an unforgettable trip!

Don't go to Iceland without Emanuela's advice! · Iceland - Mar 19 - Mar 27, 2022
I have great things to say about Emanuela. We traveled to Iceland in March, which is not the typical or ideal time to travel there. We had originally signed up for a group tour but realized we wanted more flexibility and to travel just by ourselves. I had bought two different guide books but Emanuela was invaluable in telling me what would be appropriate for the season-- half the hikes and activities that I read about were snowed in or the roads were closed! She helped us pivot to do a fun... read more
Emanuela was amazing! Trip of a Lifetime! · Iceland - Mar 2 - Mar 6, 2022
Emanuela was amazing she was informative helpful and was able to help pivot and adjust our schedule when asked and even worked through our flight delay to move bookings around on the fly. This enabled us to still see all of the sites we had desired without a hiccup. She listened so well to all of my questions, needs, and wants and created a trip of a lifetime for my children and I! All of the local nuances and recommendations she made were spot on. She gave us plenty of information and... read more

Winter Success · Iceland - Feb 23 - Mar 1, 2022
The February weather created a challenge as several of our booked tours were canceled or cut short due to storms. Our agent, Emanuela, was remarkable in rebooking tours, hotel rooms and reassuring us that she would take care of us!! We can't thank her enough for making our holiday a success! We visited the Katla Volcano, ice cave and and glacier; Víðgelmir Lava tube; Blue Lagoon water spa and enjoyed visiting the shops on Laugavegur in Reykjavik. We met so many nice people from Scotland, Ireland, England, Lithuania and even Brazil. To see Iceland in the winter was amazing!
Great trip, definitely recommend · Iceland - Dec 10 - Dec 14, 2021
Using KimKim was a fantastic overall experience and I’d definitely recommend using them to book another trip. We were able to pack a lot in during our visit to Iceland and our guides with Hidden Iceland with super friendly and knowledgeable. It was so helpful and easy having our schedule set in advance, with a detailed packet of all of our activities. Our travel concierge was responsive and helpful both before and during our trip as well. We had a great time and I look forward to visiting Iceland again!
Our trip to Iceland was phenomenal! Emanuela... · Iceland - Nov 13 - Nov 17, 2021
Our trip to Iceland was phenomenal! Emanuela designed a fantastic itinerary that allowed us to make the most of our 5 days. From our first glimpse of the spectacular waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss, every stop she planned revealed amazing wonders! The glacier lagoon was a highlight for us all! We loved dinner at Lava at the Blue Lagoon and lunch at Fridheimer. They were both delicious!
Emanuela was so helpful not only in planning, but to support us during our travels! She provided a number... read more
Emanuela did a great job setting up our Iceland trip · Iceland - Nov 7 - Nov 13, 2021
Emanuela did a great job setting up our trip to Iceland for us. She asked lots of questions about our interests and was extremely responsive to our questions and requests. She came up with an itinerary that fit perfectly with our preferences, needs and desires and exceeded our expectations. We chose KimKim to book our trip because Emanuela customized our trip for us when most other travel companies simply offered “canned” itineraries with little opportunity for questions or changes. Our... read more
One Amazing Experience After Another · Iceland - Oct 30 - Nov 5, 2021
Emanuela planned a trip that was one amazing experience after another. We followed her recommendations and were not disappointed with the sites, the lodging, and the restaurants. The guides for the glacier walk, Northern lights, and ice cave were extremely knowledgeable. Each was a unique experience. She customized in a few places based on our preferences and that worked really well. Iceland should be on everyone's bucket list.
Iceland Adventure · Iceland - Oct 30 - Nov 5, 2021
Emanuela planned one of our favorite vacations ever. Our decision to go to Iceland was last minute so we turned to kimkim and Emanuela to plan out our itinerary. The itinerary/plan was very detailed and included activities that we enjoyed doing. Every suggestion that she made was great including her recommendations for local bakeries. We even credited her for the wonderful weather we had. Going to Iceland? Using Emanuela to plan your trip is a must.

Excellent itinerary for Iceland! · Iceland - Sep 25 - Oct 2, 2021
Excellent itinerary for Iceland! Emanuela was excellent before and during our trip. All recommendations were spot-on and met all of our needs. Even when we had questions during our stay in Iceland, we were able to get quick responses back from our guide. We especially enjoyed the Glacier Lagoon boat trip, the volcano hike, and hunting for northern lights (which we saw twice!). I would absolutely recommend doing the self-driving tour of Iceland as I believe this is the most flexible way to see the country.
Bucket list trip to Iceland · Iceland - Sep 20 - Sep 27, 2021
Our trip to Iceland was amazing! Definitely in the top 3 trips we’ve taken. Working with emanuela was wonderful - she took all of our inputs and modified the itinerary to meet our needs perfectly. All 3 of the tours we did were incredible - glacier lagoon in a zodiac, Hiking an ice cave on Katla, and northern lights. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable. The hotels were also tremendous - they were definitely a great way to wrap up every day. We will definitely fo back!

A great 12-day trip to Iceland · Iceland - Sep 11 - Sep 22, 2021
Emanuela did a great job planning our 12-day trip. Everything went smoothly and she checked in on us several times during the trip to make sure all was going well. I would recommend her for trip planning in Iceland.
We loved our visit to Iceland!!! · Iceland - Sep 20 - Sep 26, 2021
We had a fabulous time in Iceland from September 18-26th. I worked with Emanuela to plan all what we hoped to see in Iceland and we were not disappointed! 2 night in Reykjavik, 2 nights in Vik and 2 night in Grindavik on our self driving tour. We loved our hotels, dinner suggestions and tours. Emanuela was in constant contact with us throughout our time in Iceland - even alerting us to the bad weather alerts and offering us alternative plans. We hope to return to see even more of beautiful Iceland and I will definitely be calling Emanuela to book our visit!!
Jon & Jane love Iceland & Emanuela · Iceland - Sep 3 - Sep 8, 2021
Hi, I’m Jon. I live in Chicago and recently traveled to Iceland with my partner Jane. It’s hard for me to express the grandeur you’ll see in the Icelandic landscape, but I can tell you that Emanuela and kimkim helped us make some incredible memories without having to negotiate many of the details that pull me out of the magical moments that make traveling memorable and fulfilling. I had previously used kimkim for adventure travel in the Altai Mountain Region of Western Mongolia, so I knew... read more
Great Experience for Road Trip in Iceland · Iceland - Aug 31 - Sep 5, 2021
The service that KimKim and Emanuela (our trip planner) provided was great! We decided to do a road trip in Iceland and Emanuela worked out all the details. She rented the car, reserved hotels and restaurants, was available whenever we needed her. Our budget was also respected as well.
The trip itself was wonderful and I would recommend that other people do the same trip if they can.
Emanuela did an amazing time organizing my br... · Iceland - Aug 15 - Aug 24, 2021
Emanuela did an amazing time organizing my brother and I's trip around the ring road. She not only organized our accommodations, but had amazing restaurant recommendations and new all the best sites to stop at along the way. It made everything so much easier, so we could relax and focus on enjoying Iceland. We absolutely could not recommend her services enough!
Emanuela and Kim Kim did A GREAT JOB for our Family Trip to Iceland! · Iceland - Aug 12 - Aug 21, 2021
We can highly recommend Emanuela without reservation.
She did a fantastic job putting together our Family Trip coordinating travelers from two continents and multiple time zones. Our hotel accommodations were thoughtfully chosen and in the city of Reykjavik was particularly exceptional (Hotel Odinsve). It afforded us a "home base" with easy walking distance to the harbor, restaurants, museums and shops.
Our trip excursions- snowmobiling on a glacier with Mountaineers of Iceland;... read more
One of our best vacations ever · Iceland - Aug 3 - Aug 18, 2021
Emanuela arranged for us one of the best vacations we have ever taken. Every day was an adventure to new places and experiences with a bit of respite thrown in every couple of days to let us recharge. The hotels were excellent, and her restaurant recommendations were always great, from the best fish and chips in Iceland to fine cuisine next to the harbor in Reykavik (Kopar) and great restaurants in Stykkisholmar (Narfeyrarstofa), Akureyri (Strikid) and Lake Myvatn (Vogafjos Farm). Probably... read more

Emanuela planned a memorable, spectacular tri... · Iceland - Jul 31 - Aug 7, 2021
Emanuela planned a memorable, spectacular trip to Iceland for me. Everything went off without a hitch, other than the helicopter ride over the volcano (which I booked on my own) due to poor visibility. A one-week trip of a lifetime! Best of the trip? The ice cave. Don’t miss it!
The perfect trip to reenter the world after L... · Iceland - Jul 23 - Jul 29, 2021
The perfect trip to reenter the world after Lockdown.
We worked with Kimkim and Emanuela to plan the perfect anniversary trip for my husband and I to drive from the east to west coast of Iceland.
Emanuela was perfect at every stage of planning, hearing what we were looking for, and delivering exactly what we wanted. There was not one part of our trip that wasn't perfectly orchestrated.
In our itinerary, not only included all the "must see" popular sights, but she also included many off the... read more

Great Trip to Iceland · Iceland - Jul 28 - Aug 2, 2021
Emanuela did a good job at planning our trip to Iceland. We had the plane tickets, the car, but nothing else. It was a last minute trip. She put together a trip that worked within our timeframe, budget, and interests.
Since we had a car, she provided links to Google Maps that we were able to follow daily which included all of our stops. She also provided recommendations for different restaurants along our route. She handled the booking of all of the activities and hotels.
The trip was... read more
Amazing 10 days in Iceland · Iceland - Jul 2 - Jul 11, 2021
I was looking for my first post Covid trip and Iceland Ring road travel was on my mind. During that research I came across KimKim and connected with a wonderful person by name of Emanuela. With three of us planning to travel together we wanted to drive through stunning Icelandic nature, photograph puffins, arctic terns and whales, stay in apartments and have good driving directions to all the places we wanted to visit. Told her the $ amount we want to spend. As the itinerary was built I was... read more
One of the best family vacations we've ever h... · Iceland - Jun 13 - Jun 22, 2021
One of the best family vacations we've ever had - and we travel quite extensively. Since the planning stages, Emanuela has been an invaluable asset and was in constant communication. At the same time she provided flexibility to cater the trip to each of our family member's tastes. She gave outstanding suggestions that otherwise we wouldn't have thought of ourselves and all this as the world is getting out of the pandemic. We highly recommend Iceland for any family looking to have the... read more

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