[muddyrivers]

I have similar experiences in both systems. Growing up in China, it is easy for me to navigate in US cities. Beijing is primarily of grid system.

The first time I went to Europe, I got quite lost in the city (Madrid). The second time was in Paris. I got some free time. So I walked around aimlessly in some neighborhoods, away from the popular tourist sites, appreciating the beauty, the history and the local people I ran across. It brought back the feeling I walked around the Hutongs in Beijing, which I enjoyed so much. Since then, I have been feeling very comfortable in navigating European cities with organic layout. In my case, it does seems there are two navigation systems, and I make subconscious switches based on the layouts.

[smogcutter]

Funnily enough, Paris isn't a particularly organic layout. It was centrally redesigned and "modernized" starting in the reign of Napoleon III. For sure it was designed with horses and pedestrians in mind, so very different from most US cities, but also different from someplace like central Prague, etc.

[xapata]

They may have torn down a bunch of buildings to pave the boulevards, but in between it's a wonderful mix of little streets. Best of both worlds. Get lost in the neighborhood and eventually you'll stumble back onto a boulevard where you can get your bearings.