I've traveled to 25 countries, and here's my checklist for exactly what to do weeks, days, and hours before an international trip

Two weeks before I leave for an international vacation, I like to confirm my reservations for my flights, hotels, transportation, and any activities I have planned at my destination. It will give you peace of mind to know the logistics of your trip are set and all you need to do is get there.

It's likely that wherever you travel abroad, you won't be able to use your US phone without running up a hefty tab. If you're fine with going your entire vacation without making a phone call or using data, go ahead and set your phone to airplane mode and forget about it. But if you anticipate needing to be in touch with people, consider buying a local SIM card for your phone, or purchasing a cheap prepaid phone once you get there.

Two weeks ahead of a trip is when I take inventory of the things I only use when I go abroad. Make sure you have the proper adapters or converters for your electronics — you won't want to realize you can't charge anything after you arrive. If you need a new backpack for day trips, now's a good time to buy one. The same goes for passport cases, phone wallets, luggage locks, travel-size toiletries, and anything else most people don't think of outside the context of a vacation.

Focus on household matters and logistics.

One week ahead of a trip is when you should be making sure your home won't fall apart in your absence. Ask a friend or neighbor if they can feed your pets, water your plants, or collect your mail while you're away. Pre-pay any looming bills that will be due during your vacation. Take note of any expiring food in your fridge and plan to use it before you go.

You'll want photocopies of your passport, any visas you'll need, insurance information, and your itinerary. Take care of those ahead of time so you're not scrambling at the last minute.

Traveling is often more rewarding, and a lot less stressful, when you can communicate in the local language. It's great if you're already fluent, but if you're not, it will at least help to learn some essential basic phrases in your target language, like greetings, how to ask for directions, and how to call for help.

Pack, focus on your finances, and remind people you'll be away.

With one day to go before your international trip, it's finally time to pack your suitcase. Some people prefer to pack days or even weeks ahead of their trip, so do what makes you feel most comfortable. If you do wait until the final day to pack, do it in the daytime, so you'll still have time to run out to the store for last-minute supplies.

Leave your phone, laptop, Kindle, and any other devices you plan to bring with you charging overnight.

One thing travelers often forget to do is alert their bank that they're traveling. If you don't, you risk having your card blocked when you try to use it abroad. Nowadays, most banks allow you to notify them online by filling out a simple form.

On that note, it's not a bad idea to withdraw some cash for your trip. Even if you can't use US dollars where you're traveling, it's worth having if you need to exchange money in an emergency.

No one wants to get bugged with work problems while they're on vacation. Remind your coworkers the day before your trip and establish the boundaries of when and how you can be reached, if you want to be reached. Remember to set up an out-of-office email.

Make sure your carry-on is good to go and do a final sweep of your home.

In the hour before you leave for the airport, make sure your carry-on has all the essentials you'll need for your flight, including your passport, medication, a book, electronics, and a pen. It's also smart to bring a change of clothes, since you never know if your checked luggage will actually arrive on time.

Have you unplugged everything that needs unplugging? Have you stored your valuables in a safe place? Have you set up a timed light system? If those things are important to you, now's the time to do them.

This one you can do from the airport gate. Before a big trip, I often like to download apps that will help me navigate the country I'm visiting. For example, if you plan on using public transportation, try to find an app with your destination's train and bus routes. You may also benefit from a currency conversion app and a bilingual dictionary if you need to look up words on the fly.