I escaped New York’s winter for Charleston — and ended up on a near-empty beach in 70F sunshine

Side-step peak season, and it’s easier to bag reservations at even Charleston’s most sought-after restaurants - (Courtesy of Explore Charleston, ExploreCharleston.com)

There are a few precious weeks at the beginning of the year when the South Carolina coastal city of Charleston winds down, when an air of tranquility descends on its picture-perfect cobbled streets before the hordes arrive.

Footfall drops at museums and shops, and it’s much easier to bag reservations at even the most sought-after restaurants.