Unique travel destination research methods

Besides @Mark's Wikitravel, I would also recommend using the classics, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide and any other travel guide you feel comfortable with.

Thing is, your requirements are personal and, in the end, you have to make your own decisions as to what will be interesting and affordable to you. And then, if you're not happy enough with the straightforward lists you can find online, you will have to do your own leg work.

Then again, isn't that one of the draws of travel, the anticipation and discovery before actually going?

I don't choose a destination then get information about it. I proceed the other way.

In my daily life (i.e., when not planning a trip) I read novels , I watch movies or documentaries, I chat with friends, I surf Internet.

Sometimes I think myself "I want to get there" or "I want to see that". With time passing, more and more toughts about a single topic accumulate into a critical mass. That moment is the beginning of the travel planning.

I then gather data provided by travel guides: how to get there, where to eat and sleep, how to move around...

Usually a single trip is not enough. I always want to get back to places I already visited, just because new novels, movies, documentaries, chats or blogs show me new things I missed the first time.

Interesting remarks so far, but no one has mentioned the most important for me: get to know local inhabitants of the country you are planning to visit! I am guessing your approach is along the lines of avoiding "touristy" places and visiting places that locals prefer, etc.

I am not sure if your question is general or if you would accept recommendations, but here is one from me: the island of Karpathos. I certainly haven't been to all Greek islands, but village Olympos is spectacular (amongst other on the same island).