Have not yet gotten around to posting the continuation of my road trip in Western Turkey, but wanted to get this down for anyone planning a trip. I have never experienced highway rest stops in any country that equal the spic-and-span quotient of the Varan Bus Companys' in Turkey. Various bus companies operate their own highway rest stops, complete with petrol pumps, cafeteria, gift shop, ferry ticket purchase point, and bathrooms. We stopped at two of those operated by Varan and I was overwhelmed. I have heard the expression "you can eat off the floor" and for once this appeared to be true. Forget about Turkish toilets: These places are amazing; if only we had something close in the US! You can get a wide range of decent hot and cold foods (everything from manti to spaghetti Bolognese..choose the first, please) at the counters, eat at spotless tables, buy your Istanbul ferry tickets on the internet and have an all around fine time. Where else do they play Edith Piaf in the women's rest room? And no, neither myself or my family members have ever been employed by Varan Turizm!

If only we had <b>bus companies</b> like this in the U.S., much less the rest stops!

Absolutely! They are amazing!

Nice to hear that you have started to discover the other face of Turkey. We even have inter city buses with leather reclining seats, hot and cold meals served on board. (BOSS Turizm)There are also inter city double decters where there is a bar on the lower floor.

There are even much better rest stop places than Varan's. My favorite is Orhan Agacli in Aksaray on the way to Cappadocia from Ankara or Konya.

Ekscrunchy; thanks for the posts and observations.
Varan has a very good name in Turkey. If they are operating to places one desire its like business class to book varan than the others. Boss example is even better. Ulusoy also operates first class...

Orhan Agacli is also my favorite, I almost can't pass there without a meal ;-)

Happy Travelling
Murat