I'd bring the bike with one brake - and bring your new brake with you, probably find someone to do it in Malta. We are staying at a dive place so there will be practical folk about.
It's not very hilly, and we will not need to travel far, if at all, with loaded panniers.
We won't need to take much with us as we ride around. I'll probably leave one pannier on for a few bits and bobs.
TBH very little of my braking is done with the back anyway.