NEED TO KNOW
- Sunny Flaherty and her fiancé, Jordan Summerlin, are full-time travelers
- In 2023, they visited Montenegro for the first time
- After booking their Airbnb in the country’s capital of Podgorica, they were surprised to find that their hosts had more to offer than just a place to sleep
Sunny Flaherty and Jordan Summerlin are full-time travelers who split their time between backpacking abroad and living out of their van across the United States.
In October 2023, the couple’s trip to Montenegro took an unexpected turn when their Airbnb hosts, who happened to be dentists, offered them a free consultation.
What started as a casual conversation ended with thousands saved on dental work, all while being treated like “old friends” rather than patients.
After landing in Podgorica’s international airport, Flaherty and her 30-year-old fiancé paid a small fee to be picked up by their Airbnb hosts – Aleksa Raickovic and his brother, Vuk Raickovic – who both spoke fluent English as they trained in the States.
“They helped with our bags, introduced themselves, and during the drive we started chatting about local food, national dishes, and places we planned to visit,” Flaherty, 27, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
Given that this was their first time in Montenegro, the couple was eager to explore a new country and immerse themselves in Balkan culture.
“When Jordan mentioned Cijevna Canyon and Montenegro’s Nijagara Waterfalls, [the hosts] casually detoured and took us there on the way into town,” she shares. “They shared stories about life in Montenegro and gave us local insight.”
Sunny Flaherty
During the drive to their Airbnb, Aleksa and Vuk revealed they were both dentists and offered the couple free consultations during their stay.
“Jordan hadn’t been to the dentist in almost 10 years and was especially concerned about a crown that was way overdue,” Flaherty reveals. “It felt like the perfect time to get it looked at.”
A few days into their trip, the tourists decided to visit Aleksa and Vuk’s dental office. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain and Flaherty had to wrap her head in a plastic bag to keep her hair dry.
A kind neighbor noticed and offered them a ride, refusing any payment when they tried to thank him. In a surprising twist, the neighbor turned out to be Aleksa and Vuk’s cousin – a small-world moment that made the day even more unforgettable.
Sunny Flaherty
Once they arrived, Flaherty received a free exam and consultation, while Summerlin underwent a full deep cleaning, deep scaling, three fillings, x-rays, and an implant consultation — all for around $300.
“In the U.S., without insurance, that same care would’ve easily cost over $3,000,” Flaherty says. “Same quality tools, same procedures, just much more affordable. It felt like a no-brainer. You get quality dental work and a vacation all-in-one.”
With Summerlin managing type 1 diabetes, they’ve become familiar with medical tourism, often purchasing affordable insulin while traveling through Europe.
By placing trust in their Airbnb hosts, Summerlin left the dental chair with an instant confidence boost after seeing the transformation in his smile.
Sunny Flaherty
Over a year later, the dental work has held up flawlessly – a lasting reminder of both the quality care they received and the unexpected turn in their travel plans.
“I’d definitely recommend Aleksa Raickovic to anyone thinking about affordable dental work abroad,” Flaherty emphasizes. “He’s honest, patient, and never pushy. He takes the time to walk you through everything clearly, including costs and alternative options.”
The couple was pleasantly surprised by their hosts’ services, the locals’ warm welcome and the city’s unique, untapped charm.
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Sunny Flaherty
According to Flaherty, the best part about budget traveling is undoubtedly the unexpected adventures that come along the way.
“We’re not chasing the postcard shot. We want to see the real heart of the city: where locals live, where they eat, where they hang out,” she tells PEOPLE.
“The ‘World’s Most Beautiful Café’ might be cool, but I’d rather skip it and walk a few blocks to a family-run spot with better coffee, half the rate, and a good story to go with it.”
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