One of the worst case scenarios for your summer vacation is when it rains, you travelled to your destination expecting lovely sunny weather, time on the beach or lazing by a pool and what happens, it rains.

So now you suddenly have to think about what summer vacation activities for kids and adults there are that will allow you to enjoy your holiday despite the weather. But is this the end of the world or just an opportunity to do something a little bit different on your holiday. Here are a few suggestions for something to do if it rains during your vacation.

• Visit historical or important buildings

• Go to a museum

• Explore Underground caves

• Take the kids to an indoor activity centre

• Make a rainy day the day you eat out at a restaurant, indoors obviously

• Stay in and play games

Visiting a historical or important building can be a way of finding out about the significance of the region you are visiting. This doesn't just apply to Europe either, there are plenty of places all around the world that have buildings of historic or general interest and that have open access to the public. Wandering around these places can be extremely enlightening, there are often pieces of artwork or plaques that provide information on the buildings, its architecture or what role it has played in society. May not sound too enthralling especially if you have children with you, but activities like this can prove to be a pleasant surprise that sometimes even children enjoy.

Museums follow a similar theme, they are places where you can learn about the history, study the local art, find out about times gone by and generally educate yourself about the region you are in. There are all manner of museums to be visited around the world, often with free access or a small charge. You may be able to find out about wine making, art, textile manufacture, wheat production, the list is endless. Museums in modern times often recognise the need to engage with children and provide fun activities as a way of teaching children about their chosen themes.

Underground caves are another option if you are in a region that is within striking distance. The South of France for example have a multitude of 'grottes' as they are called in France. Many of these have been arranged to appeal to visitors with safe access, lighting and sometimes even provide boat trips on underground rivers. Obviously not every region you visit in the world will have these kind of facilities available, but you may be surprised by just how many there are if you enquire. Kids love these sorts of adventures and once you are underground, who cares if it is raining above.

Kids activity centres are all over the world these days, specialist play parks built indoors for all year around entertainment for kids. They often come with a relaxation area for the adults where you can get a bite to eat or a drink while the kids go mad in the play areas. Perhaps not what you had in mind for a summer holiday, but a reasonable compromise when the weather is not what it should be.

Going to a restaurant, many people think that one day at least on their vacation they will be taking a family meal out. So do as the Europeans do, make it a lunch to remember and a family occasion that lasts half the day. In the right regions of the world, you may be able to add on a little wine tasting session to further extend the occasion and discover the delights of a local vintage that you can take home as a holiday memento to share with friends. OK you will need to do this indoors to get away from that rainy day on holiday, but again it is a good compromise and can still be great fun and nice way to spend some time.

Stay in and play games, sounds like a cop out, but how often do you sit down as a family at home and play games together. Don't switch the TV on and waste the day, engage with your family and or friends with a game that everyone enjoys and have some fun together. Throw in a few snacks and drinks and it is suddenly party time as a family or group and it's a holiday activity because you just don't get to do this at home, well maybe at Christmas but not normally.

So there are a few ideas for having fun when it rains on your vacation and this has hopefully got your thought processes going so that you can come up with a few ideas for your favorite things to do on holiday, no matter what the weather is like.