We bought this as a combination Christmas, Birthday and Anniversary gift to ourselves!  After visiting Trieste, Italy (Home of Illy) - we fell in love with the city, the coffee and the classic espresso machines in the city.  After visiting the Illy store in the heart of the city - we fell in love with this classic machine and had to have one of our own.  Same great coffee as in Trieste & Turino - without the mess or trouble.  A gem!