Puglia

I suggest a search in the following websites: agriturismo.net agriturismo.com
agriturismo.it To find the exact location, if there is no map in the website, just use google maps with the name of the location. Most of them are probably 'masserie' (farm mansion complexes) therefore none are probably too close to large cities (not that Apulia has a lot of large cities, except for maybe Bari and maybe Taranto, which is not large but very industrialized with major steel plants). Wherever you are in Apulia, you will be very far from the Ocean. Need to go to Portugal for that. There is however the Ionian see and the Adriatic see nearby. The Salento peninsula and the Gargano are known for the best sea. But if you ask me, the sea of Apulia is beautiful everywhere. To have an idea just google "Salento Mare" or "Gargano Mare" and click on Google images and you'll see a few pictures that will make your jaw drop.

In Puglia, the agriturismos are called "masserias." We spent 5 wonderful days at Masseria Montenapoleone in October and highly recommend it. Check it out on Trip Advisor. The individual rooms do not have cooking facilities, but there is a large kitchen that guests are welcome to use, stocked with olive oil and basic cooking supplies. The masseria has a gorgeous pool, which we used on several warm days in mid-October. It's located near the tiny town of Pezze de Greco, maybe 15 km from Fasano and Cisternino, and maybe 5 km from the seaside village of Torre Canne (where Justin Timberlake got married, if you saw any of that publicity). There's a beach at Torre Canne and others up and down the coast. It was a wonderful, peaceful place. Wonderful breakfasts (even eggs if you asked). Gorgeous countryside; the trulli villages of Alberobello and Locoratondo were less than 20 km away, and the "white city" of Ostuni perhaps 15 km in the other direction. You need a car; we picked ours up as we left Matera (which is also a must-see) and dropped it off at the Brindisi airport, maybe 45 km away.

HI Gary, We just spent 7 wks in Italy in Sept/Oct. Stayed 6 days in Puglia. 2 nites in Trani on coast which was really nice and then on to Salento region in heel - Martano to be exact, in old convent with our own cooking facilities, and we did day trips to ocean on both coasts, and right down to tip of heel. Otranto has beautiful beaches and water, as does Port Cesario. Also great wine, olives, and produce. You will need a car to really explore the area. Borgoterra was the former convent we stayed in. Martano was a great little town in centre of the area, and had everything we required for our little apt. Good luck.