Combining Spain Tour with Portugal

I haven't done these two tours back to back, but re: the question about hotels, the RS folks include the first and last tour hotel names when you reserve a tour. Some hotels offer a special rate for pre/post-tour stays, but it's not a guarantee and it's unlikely to be at the tour group room rate. It's a case-by-case thing and you won't know until you contact the hotel and ask. FWIW I've done five RS tours and only stayed in the tour hotel pre-tour one time, usually because the tour hotel was significantly more expensive than equally good options nearby.

Re: question about tours running back and forth, RS tours always run the same direction. You'd be on your own to find your way from the last stop on either tour to the first stop on the next. So either Porto to Barcelona, or Sevilla to Lisbon. Flying is likely the fastest but you'd have to research.

This past summer we took the Beat of Spain tour and then traveled independently in Portugal. To connect, we flew from Sevilla (last city on the tour) to Porto. It was a quick direct flight (inexpensive on Ryanair). Then we trained to Lisbon and flew home there. I think the RS Tour does the opposite. It made sense for us to do both countries in the same trip, given their geographical proximity. But the cultures and sights had a different feeling, so it was a nice counterpoint.

There was a couple on our Spain tour who did just what you’re contemplating (Spain and Portugal tours back to back), so the dates must have lined up pretty well. I believe they flew to the starting point of the next tour (Porto?). The transport between tours would be up to you, and the hotel rate is set by the hotel. A good idea to contact the hotels and ask.

Thanks to both of you for replying so quickly. I think I have all the info I needed!