We are looking for somewhere to stay as a one night stopover when driving from Costa Brava to San Sebastian in late Sept. We would prefer a small town to a city and would like to divide the trip roughly in half, or at least not let either day entail more than 4 hours driving time. I have been looking at toprural and see some options but nothing pops out. Does anyone have personal experience to offer? Thanks

Where are you starting from in the Costa Brava? I can appreciate a relaxed pace, but even if you are starting out from Barcelona, it's no more than a 7 hour drive, and that's if you go through France. You might want to get there in one day, getting an early start and stopping for lunch en route.

I try to have as many meals in San Sebastian as I can.

Otherwise, I would think any great destination country relais or can, in either France or Spain would do you. Do you have a preference for going through Spain or France?

Sos del Rey Católico, amazing town, a must
Tudela, great cathedral and jewish quarter
Olite (wonderful and incredible castle in the middle of town)
Uncastillo
Zaragoza (big city, though...)

Mudéjar architecture in Tarazona. The Mudéjar style is a symbiosis of techniques resulting from Muslim and Christian cultures living side by side
Cathedral of Tarazona:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...a_catedral.JPG

Yes, I back Revulgo´s suggestion, very good option.

Zeppole:
7 hours drive is not fun for us and we will have a full week in the basque country so plenty of time to eat!
Thanks all; will follow up all wonderful suggestions.