This is the fourth and final part of our series of special Amsterdam itineraries, with the first three having focused on history, outdoors, and museums. Here we’ll enjoy a day that uses the iAmsterdam Card to save money and time while seeing quite a few styles of art and design.

Where to stay

While most of Amsterdam’s famous sights are fairly close together in the city center, a few of the most interesting ones are out on the edges. For design enthusiasts on a day like today we’ll recommend the Golden Tulip Amsterdam-Centre Hotel, which boasts contemporary Dutch furnishings and artwork in a comfortable 4-star setting.

The location is walking distance from Centraal Station, which is also the city’s hub and where we’ll be starting from today.

First stop: Museum Het Schip

Board Tram 22 (transportation is free to iAmsterdam Card holders) in front of the train station and in about 15 minutes you’ll have gone through some of Amsterdam’s more modern suburbs to arrive at the Museum Het Schip. This is dedicated to architecture and specifically what is known as the ‘Amsterdam School’ of architecture. It is set in three buildings, one of which is a former post office designed to look like a ship, giving the museum its name.

Here you’ll be able to really appreciate the famous northern European economy of space and quality of materials. There are displays inside that show how buildings were designed and families lived in such a unique environment.

Next stop: Galleries in the Jordaan neighborhood

Jump back aboard Tram 22 toward the city center, but halfway back you’ll alight at the edge of the Prinsengracht Canal, and a short walk south will have you arriving in Amsterdam’s trendiest residential neighborhood. The Jordaan is highly recommended even though it contains no typical tourist attractions. Take a stroll down Jordaan’s narrow streets to soak in the artistic vibe provided by the creative people who turned this area from a slum to chic a couple decades ago.

There are small galleries on most of the main streets, frequently offering works that are modestly priced in spite of the quality. The whole area is a visual delight as the traditional canal houses combine the classic Dutch architecture from the 1600′s with a edgy touch.

Lunch: A cafe in the Jordaan

Among the reasons to visit this neighborhood is the opportunity to feel like a trendy local resident with very few tourists around. There are small cafes all over, many featuring vegetarian cuisine or international fusions. This is where many of the city’s most creative chefs operate, and finding a great lunch is an easy task.

Next stop: Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk is Amsterdam’s largest and finest modern art museum, and after some recent transitions it finally moves into its new permanent home in the museum district in January 2011. You can take the Prinsengracht shuttle bus to Leidsestraat for a tram ride, but if the weather is nice, this will be a lovely 15-minute walk from the Jordaan area.

In operation since 1874, the new building will highlight the 90,000 modern and contemporary pieces even better than before, as the building itself is a work of art.

Next stop: Huis Marseille, Museum for photography

You can take another tram from the Stedelijk right into the heart of the city, alighting at the Keizersgracht Canal. This will be the first of 3 smaller gallery stops that are quite close together. The Huis Marseille, like the others, is set in a traditional canal house, so part of the attraction is seeing how open and spacious these residences are in spite of the compact look from the front.

This gallery has a permanent collection and revolving temporary exhibits of contemporary and historical photographs, each presented and lit beautifully.

Next stop: Foam Fotography Museum

Just a short walk down Keizersgracht and you’ll arrive at the Foam Fotography Museum. This is similar in many ways to the Huis Marseille, but the photography displayed inside tends to be edgier and artsier, usually by younger photographers. There are always three different exhibitions spread out over the different floors, but it’s still small enough to be appreciated in less than an hour.

Next stop: Museum of Bags & Purses Hendrikje

Finally, just around the corner from the Foam Photography Museum you’ll come to what’s billed as the largest museum of handbags and purses in the world. Again set in a traditional canal house, this unusual collection displays bags dating from the 16th Century all the way up through today. Certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but many will find it fascinating, and it’s a quick visit in addition to being free with the iAmsterdam Card.

Last stop: Dinner at Rembrandtplein

The final museum was just around the corner from Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Square), which is the city’s trendiest area for cafes, bars, and nightclubs. Most of the main part of the square is lined with grand cafes, so choose one for dinner and relax while taking in the fashion parade.

Photos courtesy of Tom Townsend

What to See and Do?

Amsterdam’s reputation as a cultural and artistic center precedes itself, but there’s more to this city’s artistic expression than traditional art housed at the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum. Fashion-focused visitors can appreciate wearable art from some of Amsterdam’s most eco-conscious designers’, including Studio Jux, Van Markoviec, and Brennels. Each of these designers sets the latest fashion trends using sustainable products such as organic cotton, linen, bamboo and even stinging nettles. In recognition of their green fashion efforts, Studio Jux, Van Markoviec, Brennels and six other Dutch designers were recently celebrated during Dutch National Sustainability Day.

Where to eat?

“You reap what you sow” claims new meaning at Amsterdam’s De Kas Restaurant. Each day executive chef Ronald Kunis and head chef Meindert Heijer carefully select the menu from the restaurant’s local garden and greenhouse. If they require ingredients outside of what their nursery provides, Kunis and Heijer select only the finest produce from other local, environmentally conscious farmers. Choosing to farm and shop locally keeps de Kas’s transportation and emissions rates down, while helping their fellow business partners to thrive. The restaurant’s unique dining experience promises to keep its customers on their toes with fresh, local ingredients, a constantly changing menu, and a mission of sustainability.

Where to play?

We know you can dance (or at least try to) and after spending a day grazing off of Amsterdam’s sustainable restaurants, it might be time to consider burning off a few of those vacation calories. Dancing can burn up to 350 calories per hour, but did you know that it can also produce 50 watts of electricity per hour? Named in honor of the energy it produces, Watts Dance Club in Rotterdam uses sensors in the dance floor to collect dancers’ vibrations and produce electricity, which is then used to power the club’s lighting schemes. Rotterdam-based innovator Enviu created the Sustainable Dance Club concept in 2006, and has shared its dance-inspired technology with clubs like Watts across the globe.

Where to Stay?

Some might say luxury must be sacrificed for the environment’s sake, but in Amsterdam you can have the best of both worlds. Whether you’re interested in budget-friendly or high-end luxury, Amsterdam has a hotel that will both fit your interests and provide green service with a smile.

For a low-budget, high quality hotel experience, consider a stay at the Bicycle Hotel. This hotel is a “green” model citizen with its bicycle rentals, recycling and solar powered electricity. Known for its friendly staff, accessibility to the city’s historical sites and recommendations for great biking routes, the Bicycle Hotel is a perfectly affordable solution for your hotel needs.

Kicking your luxury experience up a notch doesn’t have to come at Mother Nature’s expense.  At the Hotel de l’Europe, you can have a world class lodging experience with eco-friendly frills. The hotel’s chain, Leading Hotels of the World, was the first hospitality entity to offer patrons a completely carbon-neutral experience through their environmentally responsible practices as well as an additional financial carbon offset program.

Now that you’re geared up with a few green Amsterdam itinerary tips, we want to hear from you! What recommendations do you have for a more environmentally-friendly travel experience?

Photo/video credit: Bikes in Amsterdam, liber; Studio Jux, Teska Overbeeke; De Kas Restaurant, Magnusdigity; Sustainable Dance Club, panxut; Hotel de L’Europe, Mark & Danielle Parris

Jordaan

From old fashioned to quirky and trendy, the Jordaan neighborhood has reclassified itself as a shopping and local mingling hot spot. The area’s quaint streets along the canals sets the scene for an wandering-friendly neighborhood and is the perfect location to people watch from one of its many trendy eateries. Jordaan shares its reputation as a trend-setting space with neighboring ‘hoods including the adjacent Herenstraat and Prinsenstraat Streets, which was recently recognized for its revitalization by The New York Times.

Museumplein (Museum Quarter)

This area is where the old residential streets meet the artistic epicenter of Amsterdam. Surrounded by the three major museums–the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum–the Museumplein is the perfect location to stroll through halls of artistic expressions and then continue the cultural experience outside the museum walls.

After oohing and awing over the works of impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt van Rijn, you might feel the need for some auditory stimulation. Satisfy your ears with music from the local concert building, Concertgebouw. If music is not what will satisfy your palate, there are many well renowned restaurants close by, or perhaps a walk through, Amsterdam’s best-known park, Vondelpark.

Markets

One of the most popular destinations in Amsterdam is any one of the many markets. From flowers to antiques, books, organic food and art, Amsterdam has a market geared toward one of your interests. For the antique lover, stroll through Waterlooplein Flea Market and see what treasures you can bring home as souvenirs. The book lover will find many literary works at the Spui Book Market, and for anything and everything food related, who could forget the Albert Cuyp Market?

Photo credits: Canal-side Market, Meanest Indian; Jordaan storefront, Michell Zappa; IAmsterdam, Frenkieb; Picnic in Vondelpark, Will Hybrid; Escape, Tyler Durden1; Book Market, Robby Van Moor

Museum of Bags and Purses

Handbags were first created in the 16^th century and continue to be the quintessential fashion accessory to outfits today. The Tassen Museum Hendrikje holds an incredible collection of over 4,000 handbags and purses, and is considered one of the best fashion museums in the world. From the handbag’s first entry onto the fashion scene to its most recent incarnations, the Tassen Museum Hendrikje documents how these accessories have evolved over time.

Vodka Museum

While sipping your vodka cocktail, do you stop to think about that famous liquor’s origin? Satisfy your curiosity of vodka’s history at the first and only European museum dedicated to vodka, the Vodka Museum Amsterdam. Educate your mind and tastebuds with a guided tour and the opportunity to concoct your own vodka beverage.

Diamond Museum

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and where better to admire their beauty than in one of the diamond trading capitals of the world: Amsterdam. The Diamant Museum explores the extensive journey of these shiny minerals from its creation three billion years ago to its placement on your finger. The museum features several permanent displays, and is currently featuring a special exhibitions of royal crowns.

Kattenkabinet Museum

Animal and art lovers will find the best of both worlds at the Kattenkabinet Museum. From paintings to sculpture, photography and printed mint, cats are at the center of each featured exhibit. The museum showcases collections from world famous painters like Picasso to local icons, such as Henriëtte Ronner-Knip.

Photo credit: Van Gogh Museum, Jan.Tito