Forget the dichotomy between fiction and guides; the real driver is lived experience, the unexpected third way.
One does not choose a destination solely based on romanticized dreams or cold factual information.
A friend recounting their trip to Martinique, sharing anecdotes over coffee, is what really resonates and weighs in the decision.
Personal recommendations from a close one, like a good doctor, take precedence over any book or guide when deciding on a concrete destination.