Glad to be of help if possible. I also live in Costa Rica if any questions about this country.
We are going on the Treasures of Danube trip with Tui . They are not as well known as Viking, Avalon, etc. , but i researched and also like the YouTube videos I watching of other couples traveling with them. Will be happy to give a trip report once we finish in late April.

Wow, thank you so much, PJ 94

Thank you! I’ll look into them. Reviews of Viking are mixed so I’d be more inclined to use another company. I look forward to your comments afterwards!

I am your ages.

Last fall I spent 3 nights in Hotel Bristol in Salzburg--arrived by train and departed by train. I had a lovely room that overlooked the front and had great views. I am normally not a 5* hotel person by any means but this hotel was in a great location and I walked everywhere. The price point might be close to what you are thinking about. It all depends on your dates.

https://www.bristol-salzburg.at/en/luxury-hotel.html

Thank you, julies.

Thank youTrophywife007. . I am looking to see if Hotel Bristol is open in early May.

It is the Tui Skyla that we are sailing on, not a Viking ship. Tui is a travel company located in the UK.

In Vienna we stayed at the hotel Das Tigre and would stay there again. It. is on a quiet street in the historic district. Our room was large, spotless and the hotel serves a very excellent and varied breakfast. The hotel also incorporates the building where the Mozarts, stayed for little Wolfie's first Vienna concert which took place about a block or two away. Wolfgang latter stayed there as an adult. That made the hotel extra special for us.

Thank you, basingstoke2. I am going to look at that now.

We did book Das Tigra for our stay in Vienna. Thanks for all your suggestions. Now looking for one night in Hallstatt and 3 nights in Salzburg.> I would not want to pay more than $300 a night and still be near the main part of town. I have checked the couple of recommendations, but nothing seems to fit. Thanks for your experience.

At the Das Tigre, be sure to get the hot chocolat at breakfast.

A Fodorite led us to the Pensione Suzanne in Vienna.
Right in the middle of things, we enjoyed our stay.
https://www.pension-suzanne.at/en/

When in Vienna you may want to visit a Heuriger. These are wine taverns that also serve food and often have entertainment. The wine is the new wine. There. are several in Vienna itself but IMO the best are clustered in the Grinzing district. If you take the #38 tram the final stop will be Grinzing and there are a number of Heurigen within a very short walk from the station. The tram ride is 20 - 30 minutes and takes you through the city.

One thing we like is crystal and art glass and in the opinion of many the finest is made by Lobmeyr and there is a showroom in Vienna. Their products, found in palaces and major opera houses is quite expensive BUT, they have a clearance room upstairs where you can buy Lobmeyr crystal at a relatively reasonable price.