Honestly, this idea that fiction is the main spark for traveling, and guides just an extra, is pure media hype. We're sold dreams, but what changes concretely tomorrow for our vacations?
The reality is that travel guides are often the starting point, not the end, because they show concrete destinations with photos.
No one has ever said, “Well, after reading this fiction novel, I know exactly where to eat and sleep in Amsterdam tomorrow,” but a good guide gives you the key.
I've seen people decide to go to the Canary Islands just by browsing a guide showing hikes and beaches before even thinking about a film.