Manuel Blanco Vela “The Rapist” from Seville
Manuel Blanco Vela, ran a company often called Discover Excursions (popular with American study-abroad students traveling to places like Portugal and Morocco).
By SyndicatedNews Travel | SNN.BZ
⚠️ About “Manuelo” / Seville Excursions
- He was convicted in 2025 of sexually assaulting multiple American students
- Dozens of women came forward with similar allegations over the years
- He received a prison sentence and is banned from working as a tour guide for years
👉 Bottom line:
This is not a safe or legitimate option, and you should avoid anything connected to him or that company name.
🧭 Safer Alternatives (Legit Tour Companies in Seville)
If you’re looking for excursions (including trips to Portugal), there are many well-reviewed, professional companies instead:
- Spain Day Tours – large, established operator with extensive excursions and strong reviews
- Enjoy Sevilla Tours – small-group and private tours with highly rated guides
- Seville Tours Co. – licensed local guides focusing on cultural and historical tours
These companies:
- Use licensed guides
- Have transparent reviews (Tripadvisor, etc.)
- Don’t target vulnerable groups like study-abroad students in risky ways
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For (especially for young travelers)
This situation became infamous because of patterns that are still worth knowing:
- Super cheap “party-style” trips marketed to students
- One charismatic organizer controlling everything
- Overnight trips with alcohol + limited supervision
- Pressure to trust the guide personally
